You never know how far a person is ready to go in a critical situation, when it is difficult to predict their own or someone else’s actions from a sense of hopelessness. However, it is at this moment that a person truly opens himself to the world, revealing his true nature. And an ordinary, unremarkable person can turn out to be a real hero, while a hero is a vile coward. This idea is at the heart of the crime thriller “Rif Largo”.
Synopsis War veteran Frank McLeod arrives at the Largo Hotel, located on a small Florida reef of the same name, where he immediately has a suspicious feeling. Frank soon learns that the hotel has been taken over by Johnny Rocco. The situation escalates when a storm strikes, sowing panic and fear among every resident of Reef Largo.
Like other films by John Huston, Reef Largo is also distinguished by its bright and talented actors. First of all, I would like to mention the performance of Humphrey Bogart as Frank MacLeod, a veteran of the Second World War, who always defended the principles of morality and dignity, but when he was in danger, betrayed these principles, and to wash away this personal shame, he was ready to sacrifice himself. I also liked the role of Edward J. Robinson as the gangster Johnny Rocco, who, if once caused fear and babble, now causes only contempt. Undoubtedly, Lionel Barrymore made a vivid impression in the role of the elderly hotel owner Mr. Temple, who was the first to spit into the soul of Rocco himself. Finally, one of the brightest roles was performed by Claire Trevor, who played the role of Johnny Gay’s mistress, who once, indeed, was happy with him, but this lifestyle only crippled her soul.
Undoubtedly, director John Huston is one of the most talented and powerful directors who had their own special directorial handwriting. John Huston's "Largo Reef" is a subtle intricacy of crime drama and psychological thriller. The director does not just show us the very intensity of the situation, focusing on the deadly danger facing the heroes. Houston’s attention is focused specifically on human nature, which can change dramatically under the pressure of critical circumstances. The director constantly contrasts, at first glance, cowardly Frank with “cool” Rocco. However, the polarity of one character changes to the opposite, and it becomes clear which of them is the real hero.
The script of the film has a fascinating plot. The action takes place almost entirely in the hotel room for several hours. At the very beginning, the unsuspecting hero arrives at the hotel to tell about the last days of the life of his colleague, the son of the hotel owner. In the course of communication between Frank and the widow of a colleague Nora there is a romantic attraction. But this idyll is soon disrupted when it is revealed that the hotel has been taken over by a group of bandits led by once-famous gangster Johnny Rocco, who is about to move to Cuba. However, he needs to do unfinished business, which he uses Frank, Nora and Mr. Temple. The situation becomes much more dangerous when a powerful hurricane strikes, ready at any second to wipe the hotel off the face of the earth. Tension builds up every minute, and you realize that Johnny Rocco is willing to go to any lengths to get his way.
Result Undoubtedly, Reef Largo is one of the best crime thrillers in the history of cinema. Despite his old age, he has not lost his former suspense and fascinating atmosphere, which does not allow to break away from the screen. While watching, you are really interested to know what awaits a particular hero. Although the film has a very banal ending, I think the audience will agree with me, it was worthy.
10 out of 10