Road House
Road House

Movie spotlight

Road House

1948
Movie
95 min
English

A night club owner becomes infatuated with a torch singer and frames his best friend/manager for embezzlement when the chanteuse falls in love with him.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Jean NegulescoGenres: Film-Noir, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A disillusioned war veteran, while on the run from his past, finds himself drawn into the dangerous orbit of a manipulative and psychotic nightclub owner. He becomes entangled in a web of jealousy, betrayal, and violence as he tries to protect a singer from the owner's abusive control. The situation escalates, leading to a desperate struggle for survival.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Road House' was generally well-received for its taut direction and strong performances, particularly from Ida Lupino and Richard Widmark. It's considered a solid example of post-war film noir, appreciated for its gritty atmosphere and suspenseful narrative, though some critics noted a slightly predictable plot trajectory.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its effective noir atmosphere and suspense.

  • Ida Lupino and Richard Widmark deliver memorable, intense performances.

  • A gritty and compelling crime drama that showcases the darker side of human nature.

Google audience: Audience reception for this older film is not readily available through Google's aggregated review system.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

Richard Widmark's performance as the psychopathic Tommy Drake was so chilling that it reportedly caused audience members to walk out of early screenings.

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