Decent. Might have expected more from a director with a reputation like Nicholas Ray.
They Live by Night is one of American cinema's great debuts & introduction to one of American cinema's greatest filmmakers, the legendary Nicolas Ray. Although it has the genre trappings of a noir picture, at its heart, They Live by Night is a great romantic picture. It's a beautiful film about young lovers struggling to be together in an unjust world where material value is more important than people & love; [cont.]
An incredible collection of supporting roles behind a pre- James Dean / Natalie Wood couple. Masterpiece.
I used to wonder what attracts American filmmakers to the lovers on the run sub-genre through the years, and through the tragic, fresh eyes of Nicholas Ray it all makes sense. It is the story of youth, of a new generation hoping against hope to escape the violent sins of their fathers. It is the birth and death of American innocence.
Weird prologue aside, a fantastic debut by Ray possibly best first film by any director, including Welles. The camerawork and lighting throughout is exceptional and Granger's chemistry w/ O'Donnell is beautiful. Granger has his best role here, Hitchcock films aside, and noir stalwart De Silva provides solid supporting work. A top 50 film in the genre, & a film that predicts where cinema would go in the next decade.
Truth to be told, overall, I have a mixed feeling about this one. I just can't pick side. It just is.
Films like this make me sad to be alive. I need to watch more of Ray's films.
This is a gritty and beautiful film and an excellent debut for Nicholas Ray. Granger and O'Connell have great chemistry here as well. This is a true gem.
Ray's first movie sets the loneliness atmosphere that would be his personal brand. Tragic, romantic and thrilling.
Premier film réalisé par Nicholas Ray qui signe ainsi par un chef-d'oeuvre son entrée dans le gotha des metteurs en scène. Un film noir inoubliable et cruel... www.cinefiches.com
Unusual level of intimacy. The quality of tenderness appears as inseparable from the misfit identity. Not even the worst characters can escape melancholy.
Well-crafted story about desperation and fatalismn, if only Farley Granger would be a better actor this would deserve a better rating. Still an important movie.
There's two types of Communists in Hollywood. Howard da Silva, who gets blacklisted, and Nicholas Ray, who gets to have a career protected by Howard Hughes. The most ridiculous scene in this movie is the one where the policemen sympathize with the outlaws on the run. Pure insanity.