Many films that once held the distinction of being brutally honest and unapologetically dark in their portrayal of the seedy underbelly of certain segments of society may seem tame by today's standards. One such film is The Big Knife, 1955 drama produced and directed by Robert Aldrich, known for being Hollywood film the most critical of Hollywood itself.
The Big Knife is an adaptation of eponymous 1949 play by famed playwright Clifford Odets, inspired by his own experiences as a Hollywood screenwriter. The plot revolves around Charlie Castle (played by Jack Palance), a popular film actor living in the luxurious confines of Bel Air. On the surface, he appears to lead a charmed life, but deep down, he is unhappy and disillusioned. Separated from his wife, Marion (played by Ida Lupino), Charlie is also disheartened by the artistically bankrupt films he is forced to make. When Marion urges him not to renew his contract with the studio, the tyrannical and ruthless studio head, Stanley Hoff (played by Rod Steiger), resorts to blackmail and manipulation to keep Charlie in line.
While The Big Knife may not strictly adhere to the film noir genre, its dark overtones and black-and-white cinematography by Michael Luciano lend an air of brooding intensity to the proceedings. The script, penned by James Poe, is a scathing indictment of the American film industry, portraying stars as weak and pathetic, while studio heads are depicted as psychopathic tyrants who will stop at nothing to maintain their grip on the industry. These tyrants are aided and abetted by their armies of fixers, propagandists, and media personalities who have gained considerable power and influence.
Finding a studio willing to back The Big Knife proved to be a challenge for Aldrich, as many in Hollywood recognised themselves in the script. United Artists, studio known for its groundbreaking and risk-taking films, ultimately came to the rescue. The resulting film features an impressive cast, including Jack Palance, actor best known for character roles and villains. Palance in one of his rare appearances as protagonist delivers a solid performance, but it is Rod Steiger who steals the show as the manipulative and ruthless studio mogul, a role allegedly inspired by real-life moguls Louis B. Mayer and Harry Cohn.
The cast also includes Ida Lupino as Charlie's saintly wife, Wesley Addy as his writer friend who has yet to sell out. Everett Sloan is excellent as Charlie's pathetic agent, and Jean Hagen is great as the seductress, the closest thing to a femme fatale in the film.
Despite the impressive talent on display, The Big Knife remains a stage-bound film, limited to a single location and with much of the drama occurring through long, explanatory dialogues.
While The Big Knife may not be an easy watch, it is a film that should be appreciated by Hollywood history aficionados. The impressive cast, coupled with the film's insightful commentary on the industry, make it a fascinating glimpse into the mindsets of the time. Despite its flaws, The Big Knife remains a landmark film that offers a candid look at the dark underbelly of Hollywood's golden age.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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