Absolutely love the genre 'The Blue Gardenia' fits under, one of my favourites and frequently re-visited. Fritz Lang was one of the greatest and most influential film-makers in his day, with his best films such as 'M' and 'Metropolis' being genre milestones. Hearing Nat King Cole's beautiful voice is always worthwhile. Plus the cast is full of always watchable and even good actors. This is the sort of story that sounds good on paper, but one that risks being silly and contrived when not done well.
'The Blue Gardenia' is above average and is worth watching, but it isn't in any way among the best work of anybody involved. A lot is done extremely well, but also there are some major issues that stop it from hitting bullseye with its potential. As far as Lang goes, 'The Blue Gardenia' is something of a minor work and doesn't always feel like him (despite him on paper sounding like the right director), but it is mildly recommended for everybody wanting to see all his films.
Beginning with the good things about 'The Blue Gardenia', it looks great. The photography is one of the film's biggest selling points, with a real eerily stark atmosphere. The lighting is also moody, editing transitions are smooth enough and the art direction isn't over-elaborate or cheap. The music is haunting without being over the top. Cole's title song is absolutely beautiful and as ever gorgeously sung. Lang's direction has moments of brilliance and he does direct with flair and competence on the whole.
Most of the cast do very well, with the standout being a terrific Ann Sothern, bringing sassy vim and colour to what is a grim story. Anne Baxter also compels in a haunted performance and Raymond Burr unsettles enough. Jeff Donnell is amusing. The film does start off very well, cute at times but with some nice tension too.
However, not everything works. Did find Richard Conte rather bland in a colourless role that doesn't suit him. The chemistry between him and Baxter felt under-cooked in a subplot that doesn't ignite or feel necessary. George Reeves could have done with more menace. The script could have been tighter and comes over as too over-heated when things get more desperate.
While Lang's direction does have moments of brilliance as said, where his trademark style is obvious, too much of it lacks distinction and imagination. The film starts off well and there is suspense, but that dissipates the more incredulous and credibility straining the film gets, which is the case of the final third. The worst aspect is the too suddenly introduced, contrived and too pat ending, where the incredulity is at its most obvious.
Summing up, worth a look but had room for improvement in some areas. 6/10.
'The Blue Gardenia' is above average and is worth watching, but it isn't in any way among the best work of anybody involved. A lot is done extremely well, but also there are some major issues that stop it from hitting bullseye with its potential. As far as Lang goes, 'The Blue Gardenia' is something of a minor work and doesn't always feel like him (despite him on paper sounding like the right director), but it is mildly recommended for everybody wanting to see all his films.
Beginning with the good things about 'The Blue Gardenia', it looks great. The photography is one of the film's biggest selling points, with a real eerily stark atmosphere. The lighting is also moody, editing transitions are smooth enough and the art direction isn't over-elaborate or cheap. The music is haunting without being over the top. Cole's title song is absolutely beautiful and as ever gorgeously sung. Lang's direction has moments of brilliance and he does direct with flair and competence on the whole.
Most of the cast do very well, with the standout being a terrific Ann Sothern, bringing sassy vim and colour to what is a grim story. Anne Baxter also compels in a haunted performance and Raymond Burr unsettles enough. Jeff Donnell is amusing. The film does start off very well, cute at times but with some nice tension too.
However, not everything works. Did find Richard Conte rather bland in a colourless role that doesn't suit him. The chemistry between him and Baxter felt under-cooked in a subplot that doesn't ignite or feel necessary. George Reeves could have done with more menace. The script could have been tighter and comes over as too over-heated when things get more desperate.
While Lang's direction does have moments of brilliance as said, where his trademark style is obvious, too much of it lacks distinction and imagination. The film starts off well and there is suspense, but that dissipates the more incredulous and credibility straining the film gets, which is the case of the final third. The worst aspect is the too suddenly introduced, contrived and too pat ending, where the incredulity is at its most obvious.
Summing up, worth a look but had room for improvement in some areas. 6/10.