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The Suspect (1944)

Rate: 4
Viewed: 7/25

TheSuspect
7/25: I blame the poster of The Suspect for misleading me to think it would be a good film noir picture starring Charles Laughton.

Look at the red dress Ella Raines wears; that's 1944, not 1903 which is the intended year of the setting. Anyway, it's a very boring, talky lightweight with an ordinary story, putting me to sleep at times. The husband kills his wife and then a nosy neighbor, and Scotland Yard suspects him. Yet he gets away scot-free at the end.

I have to agree with the conclusion because what evidence is there to put him in prison? Besides, there's no reason to commit the second murder; it's just finger-pointing stuff. He should've gotten a lawyer to deal with the extortion in the meantime. If there's anything that's unbelievable, it's the below-average-looking old man having the luck to be matched up with a young pretty female.

Regardless, the performances are fine. Charles Laughton is the main attraction. But if the writing can't meet him halfway, there's not much he can do to elevate the show. It's probably also Robert Siodmak's fault since he's never been a good director to begin with. Happily, Raymond Severn makes his final screen appearance; what an annoying child actor with a couple of pointless scenes in this film.

All in all, despite Charles Laughton and the conclusion, The Suspect is a waste of time.