A Hatful of Rain
Directed by Fred Zinnemann
Written by Michael V. Gasso, Alfred Hayes and Carl Foreman from Gasso’s play
1957/USA
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
First viewing/My DVD collection
[box] “I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.” ― Edgar Allan Poe[/box]
This entry into the addiction movie cycle of the late 50’s features some great performances.
As the movie begins, John Pope Sr. (Lloyd Nolan) travels from Florida to New York City to visit his sons Johnny (Don Murray) and Polo (Anthony Franciosa). This is the first time he is to meet Johnny’s wife Celia (Eva Marie Saint). Neither of the boys showed up at the airport to meet him and he is slightly put out. The father’s main motive is to get $2500 dollars that Polo told him he had saved and would loan to him. He needs the money to renovate a club he plans to open in Florida.
But Polo no longer has the money. There is a bitter confrontation during which Polo refuses to disclose what he did with it. Johnny was clearly always his father’s favorite and becomes only more so now. We gradually learn that Dad, a widower, put both his boys in institutions and foster homes during their youths. Johnny was the favorite there too.
But it turns out that Johnny, a Korean War hero, is also the brother with the monkey on his back. He has concealed his habit from his long-suffering pregnant wife and his unexplained absences and “long walks” have almost destroyed the marriage. Polo lives with the couple and is in love with Celia. He has also continuously enabled Johnny. Celia is so fed up she is about ready to give in to Polo’s charms.
The other conflict in the film comes from the pushers Johnny owes big bucks to. Their menace increases as the film progresses.
There are no surprises in this film but it is so well-directed and well-acted that I didn’t mind much. I especially liked that Polo’s culpability as an enabler is explored, something I don’t recall seeing before in these things. I especially enjoyed Lloyd Nolan’s performance. His long career leaves it honed to a fine edge.
Why do we never see the addicts in these things appear to be high or drugged up? They act perfectly normal when they get their fixes.
Anthony Franciosa received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance in A Hatful of Rain.
Clip – opening
