DVD Corner

Angel Face Blu-ray Review

Jean Simmons wows in the otherwise underwhelming “Angel Face.”

In 1952’s film noir “Angel Face,”an ambulance driver (Frank) encounters a gorgeous piano player/heiress (Diane) while responding to a call involving an alleged suicide attempt by Diane’s stepmother. Diane becomes deeply infatuated with Frank (who is already seeing someone) and even offers to help make his garage business idea a reality. Things don’t quite pan out and Diane becomes rather unstable (to say the least) which may doom Frank’s life. Also present in the plot is a key storyline involving Diane’s family troubles with her stepmother and father. 

“Angel Face” is a quintessential femme fatale story, but the script by Oscar Millard and Frank Nugent is undercooked. Director Otto Preminger (best known for “Laura” and “Anatomy Of A Murder”) tries his best to create a nasty psychological film noir about jealousy, family, murder, lust, and guilt, but the script flounders in the middle act all the way to its inevitable conclusion. Millard and Nugent don’t seem to know what to do with the story they laid out. Sure, some may be entranced by this film (it certainly has its champions) and there are hard hitting moments of violence that leave a lasting impression, but you’re left wanting more as it feels like something is missing from both the story and the characters. There’s far too much melodrama bogging down what could have been a deeper and richer noir tale.

Preminger’s film boasts 2 big names with Robert Mitchum and Jean Simmons along with a host of notable supporting actors such as Jim Backus, Barbara O’Neil, and Mona Freeman. Mitchum is stiff here and is rather miscast, but Jean Simmons makes the whole movie worth watching. She delivers a seductive, chilling, and unsettling performance as Diane. Easily one of her best performances. 

“Angel Face” is available on Movie Zyng and through other online retailers.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? As per usual, this B&W gets another noteworthy hi-def transfer from Warner Archive.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The audio is sadly disappointing. It’s a flat 2.0 track with some audible flaws.

The 2 extras include a theatrical trailer and a commentary by film noir expert and TCM host Eddie Muller.

June 29, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Angel Face Blu-ray Review, Film Noir, Jean Simmons, Otto Preminger, Robert Mitchum, Warner Archive