If you've read the IMDB plot summary for this film, you already know more than I did before I watched it. Which is a shame, because ... boy oh boy, I did not see where this movie was headed, although the title should have given me a clue. Two rascals with a tramp steamer (top-billed Robert Mitchum, with Jack Lemmon) agree to ferry a shady dame (top-billed Rita Hayworth) from island to island. But, as shady dames are wont to do, she comes between them. One of the surprises was that this was Jack Lemmon's movie, mostly due to the weird but compelling plot turn that takes the movie in a completely different direction about halfway through. Fantastic chemistry between Mitchum and Hayworth, who get all the good lines: "What are you waiting for?", "For someone to touch me with kindness." Both Mitchum and Hayworth are deeply flawed, and exude exquisite boredom, injury and weakness. Jack Lemmon, as the "kid" Tony is decent, happy-go-lucky, fearless and lovestruck, all at once. The love triangle plays out with betrayal, world-weariness, and a big sinking ship (not the Titanic). I say: Worth seeing (4/5).
Review of Fire Down Below
