Odd Man Out (1947)

Transcendant

The reviewers on this page described this as a "crime thriller" which it is most certainly not. It is a dream-like metaphysical tale that utilizes fantastic realism and magnificent characterizations from the Irish modern theatrical/poetical tradition. The narrative, the plot, is just a jumping off point and is secondary to the true force and drive of the film. It is a great, great piece of finely nuanced and crafted work and it is a damned shame that no one will be able to make films like this anymore. This is arguably one of the 10 best films ever made in the English language. October 12, 2008

One of the great classics of film

This is one of the finest films of its period and, in fact, in the whole history of film. Carol Reed is best known for The Third Man, but in my view this is his masterpiece. It is a moving tale of an IRA leader who is badly wounded in a holdup, during which he kills a man who tries to stop him, and falls from the escape car. Falling in and out of consciousness, and able to move only with difficulty, he is sought by his friends and also the object of a manhunt by the police. The film focuses on the love of a young woman for him and her attempt to rescue him. Meanwhile, he is bounced from stranger to stranger, each of whom sees him through the prism of self-interest. A fine musical score, great cinemetography and acting make this film outstanding. Unfortunately it is no longer in print and very hard to find. There are two region 1 versions floating around. One is by Image Entertainment and is excellent. The other is from Korea; it is licensed and is acceptable, but the sound track is not quite synchronized. Purists will not like it. May 28, 2008

A great lost classic

For years, this tale of a wounded Irish revolutionary's clandestine journey through Belfast has haunted me. This Carol Reed film comes from his great era of THE THIRD MAN, without that estimable film's kitsch -- this is a tragedy infused with well drawn lives. Don't mind the Korean on the cover or the default Korean subtitles of this edition (which can be easily turned off); praise instead the Korean film buffs who have preserved and brought back this lost classic. February 13, 2008

Withstands the Test of Time!

Recalling my fondness for James Mason as an actor, I recently bought a DVD of "The Desert Fox." Although Mason is as usual excellent in the title role, the film itself seems so dreadfully dated! I then realized that my continued regard for Mason as an actor actually stems from his performance as Johnny McQueen, in Carol Reed's "Odd Man Out," which I first saw as a child (Mason's luminous interpretation of the dying McQueen has cast a glow on my memory of all his performances, including a hypothetical reading of the telephone book!). I can never forget the scene in the artist's garret when, in a moment of recognition, McQueen "speaks with the tongues of men and of angels."

"Odd Man Out" does not disappoint, even after sixty years. It still brings fresh tears to my eyes. How can the film miss with the nuanced direction of Carol Reed, the haunting music of William Alwyn, and the splendid cinematography of Robert Krasker--to say nothing of the actors? Every character--from the urchins on the street to the anonymous passers-by--some who help; others who hinder--is perfect. Kathleen Ryan gives a beautifully understated performance as the woman who will die for McQueen, and Robert Newton is brilliant in the role of Lukey, an artist, whom starvation has driven beyond the point of madness. The actors, who play Lukey's companions-in-misery--Shell, a down-and-outer looking for rewards, and Tober, a ruined medical student, whose Eton accent speaks of better times--are splendid.

As for Mason, "Odd Man Out" brought him fame as well as the attention of Hollywood, and a subsequent series of mediocre--albeit entertaining--potboilers, in which his gifted performances simply do not compare to his timeless interpretation of the Irish militant, Johnny McQueen. Jamie, we hardly knew you!

January 9, 2007

A work of art with a flaw

It definitely reminds me of "The Third Man" -only this one in Dublin-, the other Carol Reed classic, this one with the valuable help of Orson Welles.

In Odd Man Out the story is completely different though. I have to admit that it took me some time to appreciate it well. It is slow. It goes in crescendo in emotion and intensity of drama, and suspense as well. But many times it is frustrating because the resolution never takes place, it keeps postponing and postponing, and one has to get irritated at this. But there is a purpose in making it this irritating way: To show all the characters that play around the passive heroe. Very much like what the characters involved in the passion of Christ. So I did the wrong thing by focusing in the heroe and not in the variety of persons that reveal a part of human nature in their interactions with James Mason.

A film that needs a second viewing and a lot of meditating. However, it does not stand at the level of "The Third Man", although it tries to shoot even higher.
December 28, 2006

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