ZebraspotsHigh Sierra (1941)
March 11th 2008 08:45
Earl (Bogart) examines Marie (Lupino)
High Sierra (1941) is named after a mountain range in the Nevada desert. While not having much to do with the plot of the movie, it is here that wanted robber, Roy Earle (Humphrey Bogart) plays his climactic scene. Humphrey Bogart has become a cinema icon for playing charming and morose tough guys because he is so utterly good at it. Bogart could star in a one hour film about glumly sitting in a chair, chain smoking, and his ability to play ‘glum’ would make it a gripping watch. In High Sierra Bogart plays a recently released crook who agrees to rob a hotel for his old boss, Big Mac (Donald MacBride). He teams up with two young thugs and their girlfriend, Marie (Ida Lupino). Meanwhile, Earle falls in love with a simple country girl with club foot, Velma (Joan Leslie) while Marie’s love for Earle goes unnoticed.
Earle’s character is interesting because he seems like a nice guy, except for the fact that he doesn’t seem to think that there’s anything wrong with theft. Earle is moralistic and has a code of conduct, but he’s basically a likeable thug. Sooner or later the hard life catches up with you, and that seems to be the moral of this tale.
This movie no doubt influenced future heist movies, although High Sierra isn’t really about the robbery. It’s about a desperate outlaw and the relationships he develops with other people.
3 out of 5
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Comment by Nathan 1
Yeah, I think the only moral code amongst thieves is stay loyal and don't snitch. I thought High Sierra was a neat film; it was nice to see Bogey play the 'badguy' for a change. Though I reckon he was more of a badguy in Treasure of the Sierra Madre.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
High Sierra is a brilliant piece of cinema that is filled with comments on being an outsider in society. Love the cinematography as the sly sexuality.