Rating of
4/4
The Killing review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 10/22/12
One of the influential and best film noir heist films ever produced. Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) creates a team consisting of a corrupt cop Randy (Ted de Corsia), betting window teller (Elisha Cook Jr.), wrestler Maurice (Kola Kwariani), track employee (Joe Sawyer) and a guns-man with an accurate aim (Timothy Carey) to steal two million dollars. Well paced (surprisingly coming from the legendary director), detailed narration, interesting characters and skillful direction were noticeable. Score was apt and performances were sincere. Wonderful screenplay with lines: "You have not yet learned that in this life you have to be like everyone else - the perfect mediocrity; no better, no worse." from Maurice and "You've got a great big dollar sign there where most women have a heart." from Randy. The Killing is more than a crime flick, it exemplifies greed, justice, false hopes, distrust and deceit. Tarantino even admits to have this as an influence is one of his popular films. Clearly one of Kubrick's masterpieces despite its poor box office results and short running time.
