My main reason for seeing Second Chance was Jack Palance, a great actor (apart from the odd out-of-kilter-hammy performance, and mostly in films that are not very good in the first place) who particularly excelled in villain roles. Second Chance has its fair share of faults and is not a great film, but has enough to make worth a look.
Palance's performance is also one of the best things about the film. Some understandably feel that he overdid it here but that was most likely to do that Palance was trying (and succeeded) to make much of a role that didn't have very much to it. It is a marvellously creepy performance that is filled with intensity, particularly frightening in the climax. Linda Darnell has perhaps the most dramatic role of the three leads and does a good job with it, she is quite affecting and holds her own against Palance and Robert Mitchum, who is as charismatic as ever.
Another plus is the Mexican scenery, which is absolutely splendid, and is aided by striking photography and colours that are both gritty and vibrant. The film's highlight is the last third, with a crackling climax with the cable car, filled with terror and suspense that one wishes was present earlier in the film. There is also a colourful and fun if also rather overlong fiesta scene and the boxing match has a riveting intensity, its behind-the-scenes story being just as fascinating, the pursuit of Darnell by Palance is also done pretty well.
For all Second Chance's good things, it could also have been much better. The story is what brings it down, while it comes to life in the last third, two thirds of the film apart from is not as compelling and rather routine, its loose ends due to having ideas not explained enough make some of it confusing especially in the first part. It also tries to be too many elements, and while none of them are done terribly they've all been done better and better, the first part 's storytelling could have been clearer and the 'dream-like romance' that dominates the middle act suffers from dull pacing and lacking chemistry, Palance and Darnell's chemistry is pretty good and not very involving, pretty mechanical actually, with her and Mitchum.
Second Chance's script has some intelligent moments but generally is the kind that gets the job done but with not enough excitement, and the same can be said for the direction. Pacing also could have been much tighter, dragging in particularly the middle act.
Overall, routine film but has a great climax, and Palance and the scenery also make it worth a look. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Palance's performance is also one of the best things about the film. Some understandably feel that he overdid it here but that was most likely to do that Palance was trying (and succeeded) to make much of a role that didn't have very much to it. It is a marvellously creepy performance that is filled with intensity, particularly frightening in the climax. Linda Darnell has perhaps the most dramatic role of the three leads and does a good job with it, she is quite affecting and holds her own against Palance and Robert Mitchum, who is as charismatic as ever.
Another plus is the Mexican scenery, which is absolutely splendid, and is aided by striking photography and colours that are both gritty and vibrant. The film's highlight is the last third, with a crackling climax with the cable car, filled with terror and suspense that one wishes was present earlier in the film. There is also a colourful and fun if also rather overlong fiesta scene and the boxing match has a riveting intensity, its behind-the-scenes story being just as fascinating, the pursuit of Darnell by Palance is also done pretty well.
For all Second Chance's good things, it could also have been much better. The story is what brings it down, while it comes to life in the last third, two thirds of the film apart from is not as compelling and rather routine, its loose ends due to having ideas not explained enough make some of it confusing especially in the first part. It also tries to be too many elements, and while none of them are done terribly they've all been done better and better, the first part 's storytelling could have been clearer and the 'dream-like romance' that dominates the middle act suffers from dull pacing and lacking chemistry, Palance and Darnell's chemistry is pretty good and not very involving, pretty mechanical actually, with her and Mitchum.
Second Chance's script has some intelligent moments but generally is the kind that gets the job done but with not enough excitement, and the same can be said for the direction. Pacing also could have been much tighter, dragging in particularly the middle act.
Overall, routine film but has a great climax, and Palance and the scenery also make it worth a look. 6/10 Bethany Cox