Algiers (1938)
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Algiers Movie Review
Algiers is a 1938 drama film directed by John Cromwell and starring Charles Boyer, Gene Lockhart and Hedy Lamarr. It’s an odd, but solid feature.
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“If I can’t see Paris when
I open my eyes in the morning,
I want to go right back to sleep“
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It is about a notorious French jewel thief hiding in the labyrinthine native quarter of Algiers known as the Casbah. Feeling imprisoned by his self-imposed exile, he is drawn out of hiding by a beautiful French tourist who reminds him of happier times in Paris. Being based on an acclaimed French film starring Jean Gabin, this movie is a weird remake. I say weird because it doesn’t correspond well to US sensibilities, especially of its time.
I found its structure interesting, but not really working. It starts as a drama set in an exotic locale, then it turns into a full-on crime flick full of danger and murder, and afterward it turned fully into a romance picture. All are solid, but as a whole the movie did not really click into its proper, well established place.
Algiers was nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, and I have to say that both were well deserved as both actors are great. Gene Lockhart is very good and memorable in a smaller role with his scenes being excellent. Charles Boyer is terrific in the main role. He’s very suave, handsome and highly memorable in this very visual, very smooth, talkative role where he utilized well on his knowledge of other languages. He’s by far the standout aspect of this feature.
As for Hedy Lamarr herself, she isn’t great. She was famous for appearing nude in an earlier movie with this being her first American film, but even though I do see her appeal visually speaking as she’s gorgeous, her acting is nothing particularly striking.
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Algiers is gorgeously shot as of course James Wong Howe could do no wrong as a cinematographer. The movie is sumptuous, exotic, charming and quite romantic at times. Its characters are also quite memorable. Everything here is competent and very well crafted, but again I personally did not see the point to this story in terms of both themes and messages.
Algiers is an odd movie structurally speaking as it shifts its genres from drama to crime to romance without ever feeling cohesive. It’s lacking in terms of storytelling, but it’s very well acted with Charles Boyer being excellent in the main role. Technically speaking, the movie is sumptuous and exotic, benefiting strongly from expectedly stellar work by masterful cinematographer James Wong Howe.
