Jules Dassin directs Richard Conte, Valentina Cortese and Lee J. Cobb in this noir thriller where a man tries to bring down a corrupt fruit wholesaler by tempting him with a truck full of apples.

A noir with a social conscience. It is all here; the fatalism, the sexy temptress, the overpowering boss, the urban milieu. Only there are also perilous set pieces that stun and enthrall. The motivation and complexity of the good girl and bad lady are spun on their head. The boss is Lee J. Cobb so you know his performance is an absolute knockout, the entire movie shifts to his axis whenever he is on screen. And the location working is well observed, brooding and rich. The Wages Of Fear with fresh fruit. And a heart. And socialism. A lesser known masterpiece.

9

Perfect Double Bill: Brute Force (1947)

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