The parents of the murdered girl are so heartbreaking - especially the mother *spoiler ahead* who tries to ease her pain by venting she "hates" her daughter, then breaks down while viewing her body. So sad & realistic - got me crying. Haunting, as well - such a stark counterpoint to the flippant, blase, hardened, cynical detectives.
shareThey broke my heart too! To hear the mother's diatribe about her daughter,
clearly sends a message to anyone who watches this movie, that indulging in
extremes from the fast lane could land them in the morgue just like her!
Good film, with great location shots!
"OOO...I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"
Adelaide Klein's two scenes as Mrs. Batory are my favorite parts of this film. She captured perfectly all the rage and all the pain the woman was going through. "Heartbreaking" is the perfect word!!!
BTW; did you notice how the detective speaking to Lt. Muldoon referred to the parents? "Mr. and Mrs. Batory -- Polish." (!!!)
You're right- it was heart-rending. That sequence filmed on the Brooklyn waterfront dock after they identified their daughter at the city morgue always gets to me. Sue- I've seen this film at least 200 times in my life(it's my favorite movie). And yet every time I watch that scene where Adelaide Klein mourns for her daughter, tears come to my eyes. It is very haunting and evocative.
shareI agree
shareBrilliant acting and script writing.
shareI haven't seen the movie in years, but I often remember that haunting scene.
shareI'm trying to like this film, and actually had to chuckle during that scene, it didn't seem to fit in with the casual attitudes of the other actors. Why were they sitting on a dock?
I'm finding less genius and more suspicious
While the main cast gave fine performances, the acting from the parents was - indeed - very realistic and heartfelt. Their performances definitely stood out in the film.
Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry!
Yeah I felt for the girls' parents too. It must be heartbreaking to raise a child and think you set them on a path only to have them go astray. Sadly, this is a theme that continues to recur even today and probably always will.
I'm surprised you call the detectives flippant, blasé, hardened and cynical though. I thought they did a great job. Solving a case so quickly is not usually the norm. They obviously did things differently in those days; like taking random people to see other suspects and to victims' homes, etc. I've seen this in other movies from the period but I don't know how realistic it is. Other than that I was impressed with the homicide squad. I especially liked the Lieutenant and Holloran.
That said, I think when you're in a job dealing with certain tough issues on a daily basis, you have to develop a thick skin. You can't be in the corner crying every single time something happens. If you are you will be ineffective in the job you're there to do. It may come across as non-caring, hardened, and blasé but I think it's more along the lines of self-preservation. Not all jobs can be done well by all people.