Much of The Front Page lacks dynamism, a point largely attributable to the fidelity with which Milestone treats Hecht's verbose screenplay. Where Hawks would search for something more musical in the rhythms of Hecht's words with overlapping voices and offbeat inflections, Milestone cultivates a nasally, top-of-the-lungs shout almost uniformly across the cast and respectfully gives each performer their chance to finish their lines before the next one speaks.
Carson Lund
August 13, 2015