Yet another mystery/crime movie based on an amnesia premise. One recognizes the appeal of such an hook. The protagonist, who doesn't know what's going on, has to do intensive detective work in order to fill in the gaps ; and the viewer accompanies him on his quest, discovering the various facts at the same time as he does. Meanwhile the premise also delivers an allegorical comment on life in a big city, where anonymity, change and reinvention prevail over identity. Of course the viewer may need to indulge in some generous suspension of disbelief, given that the human brain is a vulnerable organ. Serious bumps on the head tend to cause serious damage, rather than function as a simple "memory on/memory off" switch.
"Street of Chance" is a bona fide representative of the genre, deftly providing clues and red herrings while telling a suspenseful tale about an amnesiac learning he's a suspect in a murder case. The movie is based on a novel by the indefatigable Cornell Woolrich, who was no stranger to the penning of thrilling tales.
Still, the plot does raise some objections. For instance, it is never properly explained why the wife of the protagonist failed to notify authorities about his disappearance. Such an omission might make sense in the context of an unhappy and volatile relationship where one of the partners likes to go AWOL for months at a time ; it makes far less sense in the context of a loving marriage. Here, husband and wife seem to be as tenderly devoted to each other as a pair of Mandarin ducks. So why didn't she go to the police, as any sensible citizen would ?
"Street of Chance" is a bona fide representative of the genre, deftly providing clues and red herrings while telling a suspenseful tale about an amnesiac learning he's a suspect in a murder case. The movie is based on a novel by the indefatigable Cornell Woolrich, who was no stranger to the penning of thrilling tales.
Still, the plot does raise some objections. For instance, it is never properly explained why the wife of the protagonist failed to notify authorities about his disappearance. Such an omission might make sense in the context of an unhappy and volatile relationship where one of the partners likes to go AWOL for months at a time ; it makes far less sense in the context of a loving marriage. Here, husband and wife seem to be as tenderly devoted to each other as a pair of Mandarin ducks. So why didn't she go to the police, as any sensible citizen would ?