Watch Too Late For Tears
- NR
- 1949
- 1 hr 39 min
-
7.3 (5,643)
Too Late For Tears is a classic film noir directed by Byron Haskin and released in 1949. The film stars Lizabeth Scott as Jane Palmer, a ruthless woman who finds herself in possession of a large sum of money that belongs to someone else. Don DeFore plays her husband Alan, who is pulled into Jane's dangerous scheme against his will. Dan Duryea portrays Danny Fuller, a cunning criminal who has his sights set on the cash that Jane has.
The film opens with Jane and Alan driving home late at night when a bag of money is tossed into their car by mistake. Jane, who has always been discontented with her middle-class lifestyle, sees this as an opportunity to change their fortunes. However, Alan is hesitant to keep the money and suggests they turn it in to the police. Jane convinces him to keep it for a few days to see if they can find the rightful owner, but soon her greed takes over and she becomes obsessed with keeping the money for herself.
As Jane starts spending the cash, she catches the attention of Danny, a dangerous criminal who believes the money is rightfully his. Danny becomes increasingly menacing in his pursuit of the money, and Jane realizes that she has put herself and her husband in grave danger. In order to protect herself, Jane becomes more and more ruthless, even resorting to murder.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the character of Jane. She is a complex and conflicted anti-heroine who is both sympathetic and despicable. On the one hand, she is trapped in a suffocating marriage and longs for a more exciting life. On the other hand, she is willing to do anything, including killing innocent people, to get what she wants. Lizabeth Scott delivers a stellar performance as Jane, giving the character a sultry and alluring quality that makes her both intriguing and terrifying.
Don DeFore also does an excellent job as Alan, who is initially portrayed as a weak and easily manipulated character, but gradually becomes more assertive as the film progresses. Alan serves as a moral counterpoint to Jane, and the scenes between the two of them are some of the most riveting in the film.
Dan Duryea, a frequent player in film noir, is perfectly cast as Danny, the ruthless criminal who is willing to do whatever it takes to get his hands on the money. Danny is an intimidating presence, and Duryea imbues him with a sense of danger that makes him a formidable adversary for Jane and Alan.
Too Late For Tears is a well-crafted and stylish film noir that features some beautiful cinematography and a moody jazz score. The film is full of twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The script, written by Roy Huggins (creator of The Fugitive and Maverick), is tight and suspenseful, and the direction by Byron Haskin is top-notch.
Overall, Too Late For Tears is a must-see for fans of film noir and classic Hollywood cinema. It is a dark and thrilling film that showcases some of the best performances of the era. The film has become something of a cult classic over the years, and it's easy to see why. It is a powerful and unforgettable tale of greed, desire, and the destructive consequences of both.
Too Late For Tears is a 1949 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.