Film: "Brighton Rock" (1947).
Reflecting a very different side of Britain, the Boulting brothers' evocative
gangster thriller captures the seady seaside atmosphere of Graham Greene's
novel, though at the time it was deemed sensationalist and overly influenced
by American mobster films. Richard Attenborough is certainly as charismatic
and disturbing in his way as any Hollywood villain, his fidgety performance as
the 17-year old, razor-wielding gang leader, Pinkie Brown, dominating the
screen. The poignant story and Terence Rattigan's memorable script lends the
film real emotion however. Pinkie's plot to silence a waitress who knows too
much about the mob, involves marrying her and even coaxing her into a suicide
pact. As the vulnerable Rose, Carol Marsh is heartbreakingly sweet, willingly
following her insincere lover to the ends of the earth. Throughout the film,
the insouciance of her Brighton with its cheery holiday-makers and cheap
boarding houses, is contrasted with the dark, sinful world inhabited by
Pinkie.
As you would expect from Greene, there is a strong Catholic theme here, but
our gangster's final "confession" is given an unexpected twist as he speaks
his mind while recording a disc for Rose in a fairground booth. The ironic
"trick" ending will dismay purists but works extremely well in its own right.
Very much a team effort, the picture is also blessed with fine character
acting from Hermione Baddeley, William Hartnell and Nigel Stock.
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