The plot device is hokum and utterly fantastic and not in a good way. I don't like either Robert Taylor or Lana Turner in this film and I'm cold to their supposed beauty. Turner's opening where she appears to be a smart, perceptive woman is undercut by all that happens after. Women come off pretty stupid in this film. They are all cipher man centered drones and particularly drawn in by Robert Taylor's allure. Van Heflin is interesting but what he's doing here is unclear other than be a drunk, gay man who is also in love with Taylor. He doesn't humanize Taylor. One shot of Heflin bleary eyed and boozily approaching the camera is an odd moment that adds to his character's complete dissipation. Watch for the character actors. Taylor's "niece" is priceless as a hood teenager as is her very NYC working class mother. The pawnshop owner who makes an $11 dollar sale just as he's closing is another fine turn. His honest $ is compared to the high rolling Taylor's Eager. The dog for whom Taylor is indifferent puts in a good performance. Stupid Julio who pulls off his staged murder for Turner. Barry Nelson does a good job as Taylor's turncoat who meets a particularly bizarrely staged and dreary demise. Worth checking out just to see what a stinker it is. If you can spare two hours of your life.
Review of Johnny Eager
