The Killers

THE KILLERS (1946) - May 8, 2012
A really well made film noir about an ex-boxer who winds up getting murdered a few years after a payroll robbery gone bad.  The film actually has a similar structure to Citizen Kane -- the main character dies shortly after the film begins, and an investigator talks to those who knew him to piece together what led to his death.  The movie features an absolutely electrifying opening in which two hitmen terrorize the inhabitants of a diner; the rest of the movie is still pretty great, though it can't help but feel a little anti-climactic after that amazing opening.  It's really well directed by Robert Siodmak, who embraces all of noir's stylistic tropes with gusto;  there's also a really memorably impressive long take here, that reminded me of the opening of Touch of Evil, albiet less elaborate (I wonder if Welles took some inspiration from this film).  The film was also very well acted -- the main character could have come off as a generic tough guy, but Burt Lancaster brings a lot of depth to the role.  Ava Gardner also made for a memorable femme fatale.  ***1/2