Watch Caught

Caught is a 1949 film noir directed by Max Ophüls and starring James Mason, Barbara Bel Geddes, and Robert Ryan. The movie takes place in New York City and tells the story of Leonora Eames, an aspiring model trying to get ahead in the world. She meets Smith Ohlrig, a wealthy businessman, who offers to help her achieve her goals but ends up dragging her into a nightmare.

Leonora Eames, played by Barbara Bel Geddes, is a small-town girl with big dreams. She believes the key to success is hard work and determination, and when she arrives in New York City, she is willing to do whatever it takes to make it as a model. She quickly catches the eye of Smith Ohlrig, played by James Mason, a powerful and wealthy businessman who has never had to work for anything in his life.

Ohlrig sees potential in Leonora and offers to help her achieve her dreams. She quickly becomes his protégé, and he lavishes her with attention and gifts. Leonora is swept off her feet and soon realizes that she has fallen in love with Ohlrig, but there is a catch. Ohlrig is already married, and his wife refuses to give him a divorce.

As Leonora becomes more enmeshed in Ohlrig's world, she discovers that he is not the man she thought he was. He is controlling, manipulative, and emotionally abusive. He treats her like a possession and expects her to be at his beck and call. Leonora becomes trapped in a loveless marriage to a man she despises, and her dreams of success and independence slip further and further away.

Leonora's only hope for escape is Larry Quinada, played by Robert Ryan, a kind and compassionate doctor who sees the pain she is in and wants to help her. He gives her the strength to stand up to Ohlrig and fight for her freedom. But Ohlrig is not willing to let her go so easily, and he will stop at nothing to keep her under his control.

Caught is a dark and brooding film noir that explores the complex themes of love, power, and control. James Mason's performance as Smith Ohlrig is riveting, and he creates a character that is both alluring and terrifying. Barbara Bel Geddes gives an emotional and nuanced performance as Leonora, and Robert Ryan adds depth and complexity to his role as a man who is willing to risk everything for love.

The film is beautifully shot, with Max Ophüls using his signature style of long tracking shots and complex camera movements to create a sense of claustrophobia and unease. The black-and-white cinematography adds to the film's noir aesthetic, and the score by Friedrich Hollaender is haunting and atmospheric.

Despite being over 70 years old, Caught feels remarkably relevant today. Its exploration of gender politics, workplace harassment, and the abuse of power is just as timely now as it was back in 1949. The film's frank portrayal of emotional abuse and its devastating effects on women is particularly powerful, and resonates with audiences today.

In conclusion, Caught is a classic film noir that is still relevant and powerful today. Its complex characters, dark themes, and innovative style make it a must-watch for fans of the genre. With powerful performances by James Mason, Barbara Bel Geddes, and Robert Ryan, and stunning cinematography by Max Ophüls, it is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Caught is a 1949 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.