"Fear in the Night" is a noir film which is, in many ways, appreciable for what it's not. It's small, unpretentious, direct, quiet, realistic. Its characters are recognizably normal and act accordingly, are typical but not types. There are no heroes or anti-heroes, no heroics. There are no stars. It's not modern, not artsy, and not hip.
But what "Fear in the Night" is is a very pleasurable mystery perhaps most suitable as a nightcap. Has a kind of downscale, steadily dreamy atmosphere--but not surreal... too familiar for that. It's easy to take in story line is engaging from beginning to end with B actors led by Paul Kelly as Cliff and Robert Emmet Keane as Belknap. But what most marks it is its low-key intimacy, human-ness, and honesty. Funny, it's a nightmare mystery that won't in the least upset your sleep.
But what "Fear in the Night" is is a very pleasurable mystery perhaps most suitable as a nightcap. Has a kind of downscale, steadily dreamy atmosphere--but not surreal... too familiar for that. It's easy to take in story line is engaging from beginning to end with B actors led by Paul Kelly as Cliff and Robert Emmet Keane as Belknap. But what most marks it is its low-key intimacy, human-ness, and honesty. Funny, it's a nightmare mystery that won't in the least upset your sleep.