Beat the Devil

I wouldn’t expect John Huston behind this movie and or even recognize him in it, but that’s all right. Bogie relies more on his charisma rather than delivering an outstanding acting performance, but it’s more than enough for the part. Fact is that Bogart’s standard performance is on a different level than that of other mortal beings. And that applies 100% to the charming Jennifer Jones too. In the whole movie there isn’t any one distinctive scene, from a genre point of view it’s all “chop and change" the pace is not the fastest and the plot is just pro forma. Nevertheless it is a good movie. The final result is pleasantly light, not a comedy, but easygoing stuff. You get a grin on your face at the beginning (just the looks of the foursome of “gangsters" – Robert Morley or Peter Lorre, for instance) and it stays there not just throughout the movie, but even after it finishes (no permanent damage, though). Beat the Devil is a picture without any strong pluses or minuses. Just above average, but very pleasant. (2008.04.09)

It's not that significant of a film in Bogart's career, but it stands out precisely because Humphrey and other great actors are in it. Seeing Peter Lorre anywhere is simply a joy. His face is so friendly, even though he usually plays villains. This is simply a spectacularly cast film, where the focus is not so much on what is happening, but who is experiencing it. (2014.12.02)