That Florida hurricane isn't the only ill wind that's descended on the Largo Hotel.
Intro.
Bogart and Bacall are probably the most iconic couple in Hollywood. There's even a song about them called "Key Largo" by Bertie Higgins, which has the line "we had it all, just Bogie and Bacall." You can find references to them just about anywhere, but the best place to see and learn about their chemistry is in the four films they made together. Key Largo was the last of those four. Overview
Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart) comes down to the Largo Hotel on the Florida Keys to visit the father and wife of his friend and fellow soldier George, who died in the war. While he gets a warm reception from George's father James Temple (Lionel Barrymore) and George's widow Nora (Lauren Bacall), he doesn't take to well to the gangsters who have holed up in the hotel. At first the men say they've rented the whole place out to go fishing, but when they beat up a police officer who recognizes the leader, Rocco (Edward G. Robinson), the truth comes out. With the gangsters is Rocco's alcoholic girlfriend Gaye Dawn (Claire Trevor), whom Frank pities and tries to help. Tensions start to brew when a hurricane forces the group to stay together within the hotel. Rocco dares Frank to kill him, to get rid of all their trouble. He's just a gangster who was deported and trying to sneak back into the US - who would miss him? But Frank doesn't fight anyone else's battles. At least, not until Rocco threatens Nora - we don't hear what Rocco says to Nora, but she spits on him. Frank reminds him that there would be too many witnesses if Rocco tried to take revenge. Things go from bad to worse as the hurricane gets closer. Rocco's getaway boat disappears, Gaye has a breakdown, and the police officer they've been holding gets killed. Not only that, but a police detective shows up and discovers the body. With the arrival of some of Rocco's friends (and some freshly laundered money), it's clear that they have to figure out what to do with the hostages and how to escape. They take Frank with them and overtake a nearby boat in the harbor, forcing him not only to drive the boat, but to try and put an end once and for all to their evil plans.Highlights
Key Largo is a must for any Bogart and Bacall fans. It's clear right from the start that their chemistry isn't manufactured. I loved some of their unspoken interactions as we see Frank and Nora start to care for each other. One of the most tender actions is when Nora's asleep and Frank, sitting beside her, brushes her hair back gently to wake her. This is the stuff that makes legends. The best part is that Bacall had matured since her first film and holds her own as a great leading lady, something that would only get better with time. As wonderful as Bacall is in the film, it's Claire Trevor who is the real standout. She's a sweet but tormented woman who has taken the brunt of both Rocco's anger and the alcohol she craves. She won a well-deserved Oscar for her role too. And finally there's Bogart. Not only was he at the top of his career here, he just falls naturally into this role. In fact, his line about fighting his own battles sounds just like it's coming from Rick in Casablanca instead. He's the perfect embodiment of a worn out, reluctant hero. And his victory in the end (sorry for the spoiler) is not only a testament to how Frank was and still is a war hero, but how far Bogart had risen in his career. In his earlier days, he was always the gangster being shot and killed by Robinson; this is the first and only time the roles were reversed. It's a great scene too - there's no fight, no real struggle. Just a clean, dead shot (okay, three shots). Also, Frank's line, "my first sweetheart was a boat" isn't far from Bogart's truth - as a young boy he fell in love with the sea when he would go sailing on his father's boat. He later joined the Navy and eventually bought his own boat, the Santana. That's the boat that's used in the end of this film, just with the place, Key Largo, added onto the stern.
Review and Recommendation
I know this is a bit short, but I'm afraid I'm a bit sleepy. I might add some more points to the comments - check them out this weekend! Key Largo is one of those films you really should see not just for its place in film history, but because it's a great example of acting, cinematography and really telling a story by what is said and what is left unsaid. Pay attention to the silences just as much as the dialogue. Overall, a good film noir/drama, though watching tonight on such a rainy night really made it even better. So next time you've got a rainy day, I'd recommend this classic!
