Key Largo (1948) directed by John Huston
Drifter Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart) travels to Hotel Largo on the Florida Keys to visit the owner, James Temple (Lionel Barrymore). Temple is the father of George, one of McCloud's war buddies who died in Italy. George's widow Nora (Lauren Bacall) lives with Temple and helps to run the hotel. It's the summer, so no tourists are visiting with all the heat and bugs and such. But when McCloud arrives, some men are at the hotel, claiming it's closed and that they are staying there for a fishing trip. Their group includes one women, a former singer named Gaye Dawn (Claire Trevor). The leader of the group is upstairs in his room, only coming down at night. The guys are a bit rough on McCloud but once he explains he'll only be there for an hour or so, they let him see Temple. Temple and Nora have a heartfelt discussion about George, especially his death. They convince McCloud to stay overnight. Trouble brews as it becomes clear the men are mobsters there for a meet-up. Also, a hurricane comes in. Additionally, some local Native Americans show up at the hotel since they trust Temple. A couple of the boys broke out of jail and he counsels them to go back with the cops when they show up. That would be okay but the local deputy has words with the mobsters and gets knocked out by them. The mobsters want to keep things quiet till they've done their business, which means keeping everyone in line.
This noir classic has a bit of a convoluted plot. The Indian subplot's purpose seems solely to get the cops to the hotel. McCloud is a bit hard and a bit pessimistic, unwilling to fight the mobsters even when Temple, who is old and in a wheelchair, is itching to take down the head mobster, Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson). The singer is Rocco's former girlfriend, though now she is an alcoholic and more needy. These disparate elements come together to make some very dramatic moments and give McCloud some character arc. The cast is all around good. Huston's direction delivers the story well, giving it enough tension and excitement to stitch together the complicated group of characters.
Recommended, especially for noir fans.
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