Crystal Shackleford (Geraldine Fitzgerald) invites two strangers, Jerome K. Arbutny (Sydney Greenstreet) and Johnny West (Peter Lorre), to her apartment on the night of Chinese New Year in 1938. She has an idol of Kwan Yin and tells them that it would grant them a wish to three people who are strangers to each other. They decide to share a sweepstakes ticket.
This is a very strong opening. It drives a hook right into the audience but the hook slowly slips out. The three characters don't have enough time to build chemistry before scattering to the winds. What would have been stronger is to have them go on a quest together for the night. They could remain strangers until each one of their issues is reveal but with the others present in this way. As it stands, the movie loses my attention as each one of their stories are explained. I try to stay with one story when another story takes over. I just kept waiting for them to reunite. I do have to give this full marks for imaginative story writing and great acting.
This is a very strong opening. It drives a hook right into the audience but the hook slowly slips out. The three characters don't have enough time to build chemistry before scattering to the winds. What would have been stronger is to have them go on a quest together for the night. They could remain strangers until each one of their issues is reveal but with the others present in this way. As it stands, the movie loses my attention as each one of their stories are explained. I try to stay with one story when another story takes over. I just kept waiting for them to reunite. I do have to give this full marks for imaginative story writing and great acting.