The Breaking Point
Directed by Michael Curtiz
Written by Ranald MacDougall from the novel To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway
1950/USA
Warner Bros.
First viewing/Warner Archives DVD
[box] Harry Morgan: You know, my wife dyed her hair.
Leona Charles: Coincidentally I’ve been thinking of letting mine grow out. Speaking of coincidences, I live in Number Seven. My friends just kick the door open.[/box]
This remake of Hemingway’s “To Have and Have Not” is more faithful to the novel than the more famous original starring Bogart and Bacall. It feels more like a Hemingway story and features an early performance by the fascinating Patricia Neal.
Fishing boat owner Harry Morgan (John Garfield) is having a very bad season and will have his boat taken for non-payment of his gasoline bill if he doesn’t come up with some money soon. His loyal wife Lucy (Phyllis Thaxter) and daughter are supportive and important to him. He hopes that a charter to fish for marlin off Mexico will save his boat. Floozy Leona Charles (Neal) goes along with the much older fisherman for the ride. But both Harry and Leona are left high and dry when the fisherman leaves by plane without paying Harry.
Desperate, Harry reluctantly agrees to go along with the sleezy Duncan’s (Wallace Ford) brokerage of a deal to smuggle Chinese immigrants to the U.S from Mexico. Harry ends up on the short end of that transaction, too. Meanwhile, the bored Leona has fun by trying to add Harry to her list of conquests. Finally, Harry must resort to an even more risky endeavor to stay in the fishing business.
Nobody plays tough but doomed better than John Garfield. He is just great in this very bleak movie. I haven’t seen enough of Patricia Neal – really just Hud and The Day the Earth Stood Still – and she makes a mesmerizing temptress. I liked the interplay between her character and the wife a lot. Most of this takes place in broad daylight on the sea or near it but in feeling it could not be more noir. Recommended.
Clip – John Garfield and Patricia Neal get better acquainted
