#889: CURTIZ, Michael: The Breaking Point (1950)

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CURTIZ, Michael (United States)
The Breaking Point [1950]
Spine #889
Blu-ray


Michael Curtiz brings a master skipper's hand to the helm of this thriller, Hollywood's second crack at Ernest Hemingway's To Have and Have Not. John Garfield stars as Harry Morgan, an honest charter-boat captain who, facing hard times, takes on dangerous cargo to save his boat, support his family, and preserve his dignity. Left in the lurch by a freeloading passenger, Harry starts to entertain the criminal propositions of a sleazy lawyer (Wallace Ford), as well as the playful come-ons of a cheeky blonde (Patricia Neal), making a series of compromises that stretch his morality — and his marriage — further than he'll admit. Hewing closer to Hemingway's novel than Howard Hawks's Bogart-Bacall vehicle does, The Breaking Point charts a course through daylight noir and working-class tragedy, guided by Curtiz's effortless visual fluency and a stoic, career-capping performance from Garfield.

97 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
1:37:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2017
Director/Writers


Based on a novel by Ernest Hemingway.
Screenplay by Ranald MacDougall.
Michael Curtiz was 64 when he directed The Breaking Point.

Other Curtiz films in the Collection:

#860: Mildred Pierce (1945)

The Film

A

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

 The Booklet

Twelve-page wraparound featuring an essay by critic Stephanie Zacharek.

Commentary

None.

Interview

With critic Alan K. Rode (Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film).

Piece

Featuring actor and acting instructor Julie Garfield on her father, actor John Garfield.

Video essay

By Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou analyzing Curtiz’s methods.

Excerpts

From a 1962 episode of Today showing contents of the Ernest Hemingway House in Key West, Florida, including items relating to To Have and Have Not, the novel on which The Breaking Point is based.

Trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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