The Postman Always Rings Twice

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Albus S Mar 30, 2019 "He used to be a dick, but he stopped being a dick," cleverly punned by the lawyer Keats referring to his right-hand man Kennedy, once a detective. The joke is manifold - Kennedy is more of a dick for working with Keats, and an even bigger dick as we get to the film's climax, where greed and ambition rule the dark hearts of capitalizing dickheads. By the time this climax unfolds, it's very satisfying to see the dynamics, unexpectedness, forced-by-circumstance teamwork. How did these two go from love to hate to the number one tag team? The two are Cora and Frank, an affair going on behind the back of drunken Twin Oaks owner Nick. Frank is a vagabond who wanders into town, somewhere on the outskirts of Los Angeles, in the company of a district attorney, Sackett - the film immediately opens on the central protagonist and antagonist. Frank gets himself a job with Nick, then meets Nick's way too young and beautiful wife Cora, who he quickly makes the moves on. The first act is fast, almost so much that the film is ready to lose me. We just got to Twin Oaks and it's an interesting place, please don't leave here. The film teases the possibility, but it seems the fate of Cora and Frank is set, and they are trapped by circumstance and lacking resources. They are, for lack of a better term, dumb criminals. But this is hardly a crime yet, and Frank is well aware that he doesn't want to commit crime as he responds to her wish that they could steal Nick's car; it's enough he's taking his wife. They don't get far before they wind up back at Twin Oaks, concocting a new plan to get Nick out of the picture - murder. At no point do they ever seem terribly clever outside of their small bubble. In the bigger sphere, there's no mystery and they aren't fooling anyone. The lawyer Keats, who will represent Cora, and the DA Sackett, are always on to them, way smarter, not even working with a hunch, but with a certainty that draws out Cora and Frank's stupidity further and further. Keats beautifully takes advantage of this, a dark, friendly rivalry with Sackett motivates him to help criminals. Postman is an unexpected film with no clear direction until it next unfolds, and every time I tried to get away from it, it pulled me back in with the same seduction Lana Turner uses for Cora, consequently used to draw in Frank to her plots. Cora is both a perpetrator and a victim, making it difficult to take an absolute moral position on her. One side of us wants to call her a she-devil temptress, but the fact is that as a beautiful woman in society, and thus constant prey for predators, she's had to act accordingly to survive. There is some level of ambition and greed, but it doesn't entirely define her. She's not out to screw everyone in the office, she functions more on pride. Frank is happy with love, so much that he acts against his moral judgment when push comes to shove, asking for Cora's assurance each time: do you really love me? The characters are all rich and complex with a sweetness, sensitivity, and sense of mission. Sackett maintains friendly ties, but is absolutely committed to his job. Keats is sly, professional, not entirely upfront about his intentions, a little tricky, and yet there's warmth to his helping hand. Nick is someone you can't help but feel bad for; there's no way this old fat man has Cora entirely in his grasp. Kennedy seems like a bull, until Cora and Frank get the better of him and he shows how pathetic he is. The arc of Frank and Cora is a roller coaster, and by the time we get to our tragic last moment with them, we see how the karma of cause and effect, both in the micro and macro moment, are perfectly inevitable. See more

Ron R Sep 6, 2018 A crime film classic that still holds up. John Garfield is a restless drifter with "itchy feet" who falls for small town siren Lana Turner and gets roped into helping her kill her husband. Garfield and Turner have a real chemistry together, double-crosses and twists and turns abound, particularly toward the end (every time you think it's over--it isn't), and if you're not familiar with the James M. Cain novel it's based on, you're in for a hell of a ride. With Cecil Kellaway as the oblivious and oft-inebriated Nick, the cuckolded husband, and Leon Ames and Hume Cronyn as a tricky D.A. and defense attorney. Is the movie filled with unforgettable images? With the exception of the occasional love goddess aura surrounding Ms.Turner, no. But is it worth seeing, anyway? Most definitely: yes. See more

Draco R Apr 15, 2018 Lana Turner in her golden age, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Han R Jan 19, 2018 A decent enough classic film noir and Lana Turner is stunning, but it lacks a hard edge. Part of the problem with 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' is that John Garfield is a little soft in the role of Frank the drifter, and I didn't feel real heat between him and Lana Turner. At times the film feels staged, as if the characters are going through the motions, instead of feeling all-consuming passion and prepared to murder for it. Of course we have the production code to blame for some of this, and certainly for neutering the references to rough sex present in Cain's novel. Another problem is director Tay Garnett, who is uneven in his story-telling, starting with the beginning of the illicit romance, which is implausibly abrupt. Later on we're hit with a succession of rapid (and convenient) plot devices, and the film borders on melodrama. The last scene in particular is awful. On the other hand, there are some nice moments, particularly when murder is being considered or attempted, but I don't want to spoil it. Lana Turner is gorgeous, though at 25 seems ridiculously paired with the 53 year old Cecil Kellaway (even with the explanation the script provides). The scenes of her on the beach at night with Garfield help evoke a forbidden feeling. She plays her part pretty well, with expressive eyes and some breathless moments. Of the supporting cast, Hume Cronyn stands out and is strong in the role of a lawyer. You can do worse, but you can do better. See more

Kylo R Oct 23, 2017 Awesome. Love noir. Loved this. Hidden gem of a thriller....

Hermione W Nov 26, 2012 Lana turner alone makes this movie great. She is amazing with her attitude and beauty. I was amazed at the harmlessness of the innuendos. It must have been a racy movie for the time, but it came out after double indemnity to rival it in its daringness. 1001 movies to see before you die. See more

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The Postman Always Rings Twice

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