Movie spotlight
Crossroads
Four students in Shanghai have recently finished university. All are unemployed. Xu contemplates suicide but his friend Zhao talks him out of it. Zhao lives in a shabby room with just a flimsy wall of planks separating him from the room behind. Miss Yang, in town to take a factory job, moves in behind. Her nails into the wall knock Zhao's photos down. The unseen neighbours start playing tit for tat... Zhao gets a job as proofreader at a newspaper. He sees that pretty girl on the tram to work every day. He doesn't know her, but it's Miss Yang... Zhao is assigned to cover labour conditions for the paper. He is sent to a factory, the one where Miss Yang works...
Insights
Plot Summary
A successful New York lawyer, David Talbot, lives a double life. By day, he is a respected professional, but by night, he is a racketeer with a hidden past. When a former acquaintance reappears, threatening to expose his secrets, Talbot is forced to confront the choices that led him down this dangerous path. The film navigates the complexities of identity, morality, and the consequences of one's actions.
Critical Reception
Crossroads was generally well-received by critics upon its release, praised for its intriguing plot and strong performances, particularly from William Powell. It was seen as a sophisticated thriller that blended elements of drama and mystery effectively. Audiences also found the film engaging, contributing to its moderate box office success.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for William Powell's compelling performance as a man torn between two lives.
Appreciated for its suspenseful narrative and morally ambiguous themes.
Noted for its effective blend of melodrama and mystery elements.
Google audience: Audience reception information for 'Crossroads (1937)' is not readily available through Google user reviews.
Fun Fact
The film's premise of a character leading a double life and being threatened by exposure was a popular theme in pre-Code Hollywood cinema, though 'Crossroads' was made after the Hays Code was in full effect.
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