A guy who can't trust anyone meets a girl who can't help trusting him. 1951's He Ran All the Way is a particularly tragic film noir about two kinds of fools who accentuate the pain of each other's circumstances too well. The writing isn't always strong but the performances by John Garfield and Shelly Winters are dynamite.
Nick (Garfield) is unemployed and wakes up to the sound of his mother constantly berating him about it. So his friend convinces him to take part in robbing the payroll of a nearby factory.
His accomplice is killed so Nick, alone, runs off with the 10,000 dollars. He's not cut out for this work, though, he's all nerves. He tries to blend in with a crowd but he can't stop darting his eyes everywhere, sweating, and compulsively dashing for cover at every opportunity. Finally, he has the bright idea to go to a public pool. He rents a locker and stashes the cash, changes into swim trucks, and jumps in. And meets Peg (Winters), who can't swim.
Instinctively, he tries to teach her, and, instinctively, she clutches him when she's afraid. As the film progresses, this initial impression is continually reaffirmed--she compulsively trusts him. Even after he takes her whole family hostage and holes up in their apartment.
A lot of the plot doesn't make sense. Nick is content to let anyone leave the apartment to go about their regular lives, even Peg's kid brother. No-one ever seems worried the kid will blab, the mother never thinks of telling the kid to run away and stay at a friend's. It's a bit silly, but the movie continues to be watchable for Garfield and Winters. He's like a cornered animal and she has a guileless, unshakable faith in him. Not that she kids herself, she just looks more and more wounded as he demonstrates again and again her trust is misplaced.
He Ran All the Way is available on The Criterion Channel.
Twitter Sonnet #1646
Enclosing felt, the notice sent a word.
A buzzing built to break the purpose out.
Condensing soup provoked the slurpy bird.
Approaching steeds described the castle route.
Above the falling tree the foot descends.
Returning boots embroiled toes and nails.
Abiding birds absorb the egg amends.
A wooden boy would soon devour whales.
The crashing frost dispelled the goblin's turn.
A luncheon test distorts the dollar bill.
Expanding socks destroyed the ancient urn.
Absorption chewed the ashes out the will.
The helpless run collides against the pool.
A dizzy driver damns the hapless fool.
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