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A Place in the Sun (1951)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 8/13

AmT
8/13: An American Tragedy was a novel written by Theodore Dreiser that I read almost two decades ago, but I never saw the film until now.

It's a good thing I took a long time doing so because A Place in the Sun is nothing like it. This way, I would be less harsh in my review because I couldn't remember a lot about the book except for the main points. It's based on the murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette after the turn of the 20th century while the rich girl angle was invented for dramatic effect.

On the surface, Montgomery Clift seems to act well, but let's be real: he's terrible. I have to say being naïve all the time is an unrealistic behavior for somebody like George Eastman who might be predisposed to murder. Obviously, past behavior predicts future behavior. Montgomery Clift shows up unannounced as an all-around good kid minus formal education and carries on well with his manners intact, evincing no change over time. In other words, it's a one-dimensional performance which makes his character hard to believe.

On the other hand, Elizabeth Taylor is obviously beautiful and radiant as Angela Vickers, but she falls for an uneducated city boy with no social rank after watching his solo billiard game for a minute. Come on, are people that stupid? Of course, we have the frumpy-looking Shelley Winters who can't compete with Elizabeth Taylor. George Eastman's decision becomes simple thereafter. How Shelley's character was killed isn't enough to merit a death penalty; manslaughter or a lesser degree seems more appropriate.

That piece of Perry Mason *cough* bullshit lawyering by Raymond Burr is easily the worst and most ridiculous part of the picture. What he did, especially when he forcibly smashing the oar against the boat to prove a point, is enough for witness intimidation and therefore grounds for mistrial.

All in all, A Place in the Sun is an okay film but pales in comparison with An American Tragedy.