The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

 John Huston's "The Asphalt Jungle"

By the end of the 1940's, John Huston had made a name for himself amongst Hollywood scriptwriters and directors with works like "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre." Huston had helped kickstart the film noir movement, but was never really beholden to it, which is why he was so adept at genre work. He was inspired by the Italian neo-realist films at the time and wanted to make something that mixed that style with the contemporary American film noir style that was popular at the time. This was achieved through the adaption of the 1949 novel "The Asphalt Jungle" by W.R. Burnett. 

"The Asphalt Jungle" centers on a group of small time thieves who attempt a jewel heist in a Midwestern river city. The film is notable for its removal of the police procedural aspect of the story that was more prominent in the novel. It's a film that helped along the 'crime' genre in Hollywood.

Although I enjoyed the film, I found it very standard in the way of plot. A group of thieves successfully pull off a heist, only for things to fall apart after-the-fact. What's the most interesting element of the film is its ability to dive into the lives and existential troubles of its so-called villainous characters. In a way, the characters aren't at all villainous, but rather products of the hardened contemporary American lifestyle.

Some of the most interesting aspects of the film I enjoyed include Huston's direction. I felt throughout the film a sense of intimacy with the characters through the close-ups Huston employs. Another notable aspect of the film is Marilyn Monroe, as this was one of the earliest films of her career.