(1961)
2.5
Craig Butler
Even though this version of Back Street far outdoes previous versions in terms of gloss and sheen, it's ultimately less effective than the classic Irene Dunne-Charles Boyer version. It's hard to say that films that aim to be nothing more than soap opera have a great deal of depth, but this Street is definitely more shallow than the 1941 version. The major problem is that the creators don't really seem to believe in the material; instead, they act as if they've been handed a blueprint and have built a project perfectly according to plan, but with little of themselves invested in it. Because the structure is sound, it still works -- at least for fans of weepies like this -- but it fails to engage the viewer in any but the most basic way. The casting of the lovers is also a bit of a problem. John Gavin certainly has the appropriate matinee idol looks for the part, but his performance is wooden and unconvincing. Susan Hayward is quite good, but also a bit too old for the part; also, despite her skill, she's not exactly the right type for this kind of glossy melodrama, and she compensates by overacting a bit. Of course, compared to Vera Miles,, she's a model of restraint. But Miles' delicious performance is in a role that's meant to be totally over the top. She steals the movie away from the stars without batting an eyelash. Miles and the sleek production make the film worth catching.
cast-crew for Back Street on AllMovie
Back Street (1961)
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