MovieChat Forums > Laura Discussion > Knocking off the classics: Finally watch...

Knocking off the classics: Finally watched 'Laura'!

posted 13 years ago by drew_atreides
13 replies | jump to latest

...it has always been one of my mother's favourite films... For years
she has asked me to watch this one..

Well, i finally sat down and checked it out, and to be honest i was awfully
disappointed.

The ideas for a good film are there, and perhaps it's a case of "nothing
like it had been done at the time, and since then it has all been done
again and again, and in many ways better", but man...

Laura was completely unlikable. The "love" between Laura and Mcpherson
completely unbelievable (though the idea of him falling in love with
the concept of her was interesting, her coming back and suddenly being
on "MARK" terms with him was really rushed and lame.)

The climax of the film was handled rather poorly, from a script perspective.

Why would the Cop put the gun right back in the clock?

Makes no sense, other then for plot purposes.

Have to say of all the classics i've checked out lately, this one
disappointed me the most.

Good supporting cast, though.

[–] scorpiomensan 10 years ago

Perhaps you shouldn't share your thoughts with your mother, regarding a "favourite film" of hers.

[–] AliciaHuberman59 10 years ago

Klaatu barada nikto.

"No, I don't like to cook, but I have a chicken in the icebox, and you're eating it."

[–] Degree7 9 years ago

I feel like you'd like this analysis of the film.

http://hollywoodexcellence.blogspot.com/2009/09/dissecting-laura-1944-goofs-in-otto.html

~ I'm a 21st century man and I don't wanna be here.

[–] OpaqueOne 9 years ago

drew,

Like you, I was disappointed in this film. I enjoy old films, noir films, mysteries, and I've found merit with most of these key players in one project or another. It was just hard for me to buy a number of the actions and motivations in Laura.The gun replaced back in the clock by the policeman was the cap on a lot of the implausibles, but there were many others.

What are some of your favorite noirs? I especially like the darker, more Gothic-tinged melodramas that don't focus as much on police procedural work but, instead, are more psychologically driven.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Gubbio 9 years ago

The "love" between Laura and Mcpherson
completely unbelievable (though the idea of him falling in love with
the concept of her was interesting

This is exactly what I thought when watching it, would have made for a much more interesting film.

I agree. The idea of the hardened detective haunted by a girl he never met is intriguing.

As much as I love this film for the witty dialogue they gave to Webb and for Tierney's beauty, I've never believed that Mark and Laura were in love -- having only known each other a day and a half.

Physical attraction, lust, yes. But love ?

[–] Prismark10 8 years ago

I was shocked that this film is regarded as some great classic.

It's that man again!!

[–] cultfilmfreaksdotcom 8 years ago

So is "Knocking off the Classics" a thing you do with all Classics.

I think with a movie like LAURA it takes more than one viewing.

I thought it was blah at first, and now it's my third fav of all time.

If you set out to Knock off Classics, you'll always find flaws. Personally, I adore classics and Knock off Johnny Depp movies that teens flock to.

All Movie Reviews www.cultfilmfreaks.com

[–] tempmail1974 8 years ago

I agree, this is one of the more disappointing "classics".

Perhaps it simply aged very poorly, or perhaps it was somewhat over-rated to begin with, but it certainly did not strike me the way Sunset Blvd, Double Indemnity, The Maltese Falcon, or various other films have.

[–] rsgre 8 years ago

I agree drew, I was going to post a new review, but I agree with your points exactly. Whatever merits it seemed to have years ago have faded completely. An obscure film noir "The Dark Corner" (1948) with Lucille Ball was far superior and holds up much better.

RSGRE

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

Agreed. I was savouring the dialogue, pacing and performances, and the mid-point twist was impressive, but then it devolved into a rather implausible procedural. Given its reputation I was expecting a revelatory ending but it was just... meh.

Most of the classic noirs are haunting, this one was well made, fun, but ultimately forgettable.