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This is How Movies Should Be Made

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

'The Asphalt Jungle (1950)' lacks a proper protagonist, instead bouncing around between a few key characters that aren't really given enough time to develop. After a consistently entertaining first hour, it loses its way a little towards its third act when the pacing slows down to almost a crawl. Still, there's some good stuff here including a well-done heist sequence and some relatively unflinching violence (for the time) that's mostly on-screen and has lasting consequences. 7/10

This is a caper film and one of the best examples of film noir. The black and white photography is stylish and atmospheric, the music is dramatic and sensitive to the visuals, the acting is terrific.Of course it helps to have a cast that includes Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe and Marilyn Monroe. Their characters populate the city's "jungle"--the dark underside where each denizen has his vice. The film suggests that its inhabitants are infected with an urban disease, being too far from the land. This is the antithesis of "Spencer's Mountain", for example, where goodness wins out, because their lives are grounded in the soil."The Asphalt Jungle" is one of the best examples of film noir and has significantly influenced many films that followed. Like "The Maltese Falcon", it explores the dreams of those who are always looking for the big score. The final scene is nearly perfect in its symbolism and execution. This is a film that can be watched many times and enjoyed for its literate writing.

Fresh out of prison a professional burglar by the name of "Erwin Riedenschneider" (Sam Jaffe) goes to see a local gambler named "Cobby" (Marc Lawrence) about setting up a heist worth over $500,000 in gold and gems from a local jewelry store. Cobby immediately sets up a meeting with a rich lawyer named "Alonzo Emmerich" (Louis Calhern) to arrange financing. What neither Dr. Riedenschneider nor Cobby realize is that Mr. Emmerich is broke and not only cannot afford to hire anybody but also cannot buy the merchandise once they bring it to him as planned. As a result Cobby hires the men necessary for the job under the assumption that Mr. Emmerich will reimburse him later and that he will also have the cash necessary to complete the transaction. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was a very good jewel caper which has a sterling cast and a fine plot as well. Not only that, but having an actress like Marilyn Monroe (as "Angela Phinlay") certainly didn't hurt the scenery in any way either. In any case, I rate this movie as above average and recommend it to those who enjoy a good crime movie from days gone by.

This movie is a fast paced cat and mouse chase in which you find yourself alternately cheering for the cat and the mouse. John Huston walked an amazing tightrope balance getting sympathy for both cops and robbers. But the movie is focused on the robbers, and the unique weakness that each character has and which motivates and ultimately undoes them. Each weakness is exposed: just plain greed, seductive women, unbridled ambition, and addictions of all kinds. Sterling Hayden has a triumphant performance as the 'sociopath with a heart', and if you think that's a contradiction in terms, Mr. Hayden will have you believing the terms are synonymous. This is probably one of John Huston's most underrated film, most likely due to the lack of his usual leading man Humphrey Bogart. But the ensemble cast shines, each adding their piece to this puzzle, none overshadowing the other, with the possible exception of the imposing Hayden. A masterpiece of noir that should not be missed.