Grade: B-
Synopsis: Three escaped convicts (Humphrey Bogart, Dewey Martin, and Robert Middleton) terrorize a suburban family.
The Desperate Hours was Humphrey Bogart’s penultimate film, in many ways bringing him full circle, echoing back to his breakout role in The Petrified Forest almost twenty years prior. Bogart brings an intense ferocity to the role, exuding a simmering rage that seems to seep out of his every word and action. Where a lesser actor would have over played the part, Bogart nails it perfectly.
Opposite Bogie, Fredric March does an equally admirable job. Perhaps inspired by Bogart (or maybe vice-versa), March too plays his part believably low-key. These two anchor the film and are a joy to watch.
The script by Joseph Hayes does a great job of slowly ratcheting up the tension, and is packed with great dialog. Its only real flaw is the Ralphie Hilliard character. He’s a little brat that only serves as a plot device and acts as a speed bump in an otherwise brilliant story.
Bottom Line: Great performances plus a good script equal a pretty good movie. Recommended.
