Review of Human Desire

I watched this movie for the second time the other day. First time round as a young man I watched this and enjoyed it relieved that the "hero" doesn't get dragged down by the heartless "femme fatale". now quarter of a century I see it somewhat differently and am disappointed in the lack of clarity concerning Gloria Grahame's character. For the first half of the film she elicits much sympathy, we can see that she has had a rough life and was probably raped as a 16 year old by the man whom her husband made her go and beg for a job. Knowing her as he did, he was suspicious of what "favours" Owens (the dirty old man/prospective employer and once she gets him his job back by undergoing further abuse he beats her up then takes her with him to watch him kill the guy! He then proceeds to blackmail her. Earlier comments describing Grahame's character as "pure evil" and "heartless" were surely not paying enough attention. Unfortunately as the film develops and Glenn Ford's Jeff gets involved as her lover it seems that Lang loses the thread also. As he now becomes the primary focus there is a requirement for a moral imperative within the ending. Hard war vet Jeff rejects Gloria's pleas and brings a statement of peace to her refusing to kill her husband he condemns her to death by leaving her to him. The irony of all this is that the 30 something "Jeff" is now going to look forward to having his way with the teenage daughter of his best friend.

Anyway this is a pretty good film despite this with many good performances especially Gloria Grahame and a sublime piece of acting from Broderick Crawford as the abusive killer husband who just can't keep up with life. Good filming of trains and what looks like documentary footage also. At times the sets and filming felt oppressive, nothing new there though with the often wonderful Fritz. Not his best, but make a point of watching.