Rating of
4/4
Extremely Well-Written
SIngli6 - wrote on 06/06/11
There exists a unique screenplay type characterised by a standard of tautness and logical construction that is so exhaustive that it paradoxically accords the material the appearance of the cinematic equivalent of Swiss cheese. I call to mind such excellent films as 'Angels and Demons', 'Clue', 'The Talented Mr. Ripley', and Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho'. At first glance their screenplays appear to be riddled with superfluous and clumsy details (such as a cat on a balcony railing), but, upon closer inspection, those details are realized as explanations for otherwise inexplicable plot elements (such as a grapple hook falling of it's own accord to the ground).
'Elevator to the Gallows' is the very manifestation of this script type, and though some would understandably be repelled by material that demands such diligent audience participation, others (like myself) would be delighted by the prospect of piecing together an apparently nonsensical tragedy. With moody jazz and shadowy visuals, this is what film noir is all about!
