The Naked City | Movie Review

THE NAKED CITY
YEAR: 1948
COUNTRY: USA
DIRECTOR: Jules Dassin
PRODUCER: Mark Hellinger
HOUSE: Universal
(Criterion Collection #380)

::::It’s 11:48pm and I’m currently formating this movie to watch on my iPhone tomorrow. I leave for Las Vegas at 6am from SGF and want something to keep me busy during the flight. I have been wanting to watch this film for quite a while now but never seem to get a chance to find the time. I bought this DVD a long time ago because the making of it was highly influenced by Italian Neorealism. Italian Neorealism is a favorite genre of mine, not just because of my ethnic background, but because of the somewhat stricked rules involved for the filmmakers. If you’re not familiar this genre is characterized by nonprofessional actors, minimal editing, camera work, and tend to focus on the literal ordinary. I could go on about the genre but I plan to start a new blog just about Italian Neorealism film this year. Last year I bought italianneorealism.com. So this film is set in the Big Apple as an American crime story, has won two Academy Awards, and is known for its ability to “capture” the city. Can’t wait….

Anyway tomorrow I’ll be watching this film on the plane and when I get back I’ll give my full review. Feel free to twitter me @unknownfilms in the mean time. You can read more about this film here.

 •THE REVIEW•

The Naked City is a classic murder investigation crime story. A beautiful woman is enwrapped in the big city life after leaving home in search of a new life and a new name; only to be murdered! Opening with aerial shots that are amazing for the time, and no credits either, but rather spoken by the narrator. I liked it. It was interesting to see/hear something not so common in other movies. From the beginning of this movie, the creators makes one thing clear by way of narration; the entire film is shot on location and never on a set. This keeps true to the standards of the Neorealism genre. Although there is a narrator throughout the film, (and thats fine) it was used in a not so normal fashion. At times the narrator would speak lines that the characters might say as you see them in action, rather than letting the character explain the shot or scene with their own lines as it takes place.
If you’re not usually much of a Black & White movie fan, or don’t watch them at all, I think you’ll still get some enjoyment from watching this film because of its simple yet well made structure. Not a bad B&W movie to start with either if you’ve never seen one at all.

           Even though it’s about a murder, The Naked City gives you a good feeling of comfort for New York that you usually don’t feel about the city. The scenes in which the detective arrives and leave his house seem odd to me as the entire block is one the same schedule. It’s interesting to get a sneak peak into the past as you able to see horse drawn vehicles mingled with cars in downtown New York. You also see a touch of work life for the people in the shots with the construction elevator on the outside wall taking up to the top of a tall building where workers are laboring.

           The acting in the movie was great, the director must have payed close attention the their abilities during casting to get the right people for the parts. Their talent showed itself it particular scenes such as when one of the suspects bought a plan ticket without his finance knowing and the heated argument that followed with a close call from death. They really brought you into the scene with the anger and blocking. The film also had its funny parts too. I laughed out loud on the plane when the detective slapped a sleeping guy in the face after looking to see if anyone was watching.
             The Naked City had a good blend of story telling with a mix of showcasing the city of New York. I didn’t find much I didn’t like about this movie, other than wanting to see some more action in the beginning. All in all it tells just one of the many story that have taken place in The Big Apple.

My favorite line from this movie: “Now thats the truth sonny boy, and you know I’m not bluffin’ ” -Older Detective