Silver River (1948)

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Siskoid
There's only so much of Errol Flynn's roguish charm one can take if that's his only redeeming quality, and Silver River pushes that limit. He seems to have been a good Union officer, but his unjust discharge turns him into a ruthless, selfish tycoon, the kind people might have admired when the film was made, but justifiably hate today. He starts his business empire by stealing another man's livelihood and goes on from there. I was watching for Ann Sheridan, and when she's trading barbs with Flynn, I liked her and the movie had my attention. Once she warms to him, she effectively becomes a non-character, more of a moral compass in human form, as the film becomes a lesson in ethics that, for all its big speeches, doesn't really make Flynn pay for what he's done. And in that moral fable, Flynn also loses all semblance of a consistent character. Started off well, but I think the rogue character works better as an underdog. As soon as he's on top, he's just a bully, and no longer deserves to be played as a "hero" OR get Ann Sheridan's attentions. 3 years 9 months ago
Limbesdautomne
Chronicle of an ambitious man and criticism of the capitalism. Birth of a Nation mixed with Citizen Kane by the Archangel Mitchell's goodwill.

Read more in French on La Saveur des goûts amers. 6 years 3 months ago