Pickup on South Street (1953) Reviews

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Samuel Fuller scarcely used Dwight Taylor's source material, a languid courtroom romance, in crafting this pugnacious potboiler. Pickup on South Street is strictly Fuller film noir -- lean and wicked straight to its core. Barely out of prison, loner and pickpocket Skip McCoy (Richard Widmark) quietly helps himself to the contents of a woman's purse. His beautiful victim, Candy (Jean Peters), turns out to be an unwitting courier for the communist underground; McCoy's booty is actually microfilmed U.S. government secrets, formerly en route to Moscow. Both the FBI and Candy's employers are desperate to retrieve the film. The apolitical and arrogant McCoy has a plan to play both ends against the middle and come up ahead. However, dealing with the authorities may mean life in the clink, and the sadistic communists would rather kill McCoy than pay him off. He quickly becomes embroiled with Candy, who will risk everything to right her wrongs, and eventually even more to save her new man. When McCoy loses a cohort and Candy is almost killed, the cocksure pickpocket finds a stronger motivation than personal gain. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Starring:: Richard Widmark, Jean Peters, (more)

Director(s):: Samuel Fuller

Format(s):: DVD
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	J'ADORE LE CINEMA O.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

Sam Fuller is a gritty director who called for action by firing a gun in the air. This great example of film noir is a masterpiece. The film is supposed to be a little rough around the edges, the best residence we see is a flop house. So these grifters are not glamorous like Angelica Huston and Annette Benning. Fuller keeps the suspense high and the pace fast. The supplemental material on the DVD really helps to understand the craftsmanship in this work. Fuller is himself, gritty, cigar chomping, direct and narcissistic. Some people think there is 'bad acting' perhaps they prefer Pixar or CGI. Thelma Ritter is great as MO, and her final scene is passionate and evocative, a tough old broad looking the grim reaper in the face and passing on with dignity and loyalty intact. I recommend other Fuller films, such as a Steel Helmet or The Naked Kiss. Fuller also made the autobiographical 'Big Red One' with Lee Marvin, which was much more Hollywood mainstream film.