Impact (1949)

Impact: Directed by Arthur Lubin. With Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Charles Coburn, Helen Walker. A unfaithful wife plots with her lover to kill her husband, but the lover is accidentally killed instead. The husband stays in hiding, and lets his wife be charged with conspiracy.

“This film noir has three distinct movements. Brian Donlevy proves masterful at playing a high-powered executive, self-satisfied and in control. As in any good drama, his secure world is assaulted and turned upside down The film portrays his characters descent, loss of faith and subsequent redemption. Donlevy handles each of the stages well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHelen Walker is brilliant as Donlevyu0026#39;s wife. Her ability to portray a duplicitous and homicidal spouse is immaculate in itu0026#39;s delivery.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI found great pleasure in watching the legal machinations and the ambivalence of the justice system.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMore then anything, and Iu0026#39;ve commented on this in other film noir reviews, I enjoyed the street scenes of San Francisco a half century ago. Sometimes I think Iu0026#39;d be just as happy to forgo plot in favor of travelogue Also, Larkspur (whether it is in California or Idaho,) just seems like a fine little town the likes of which we now pine for. The volunteer fire department scene was reflective of my sense of small town values.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll in all, an absorbing,nostalgic and thought provoking piece of film art.”