RetroHound’s review published on Letterboxd:
One of the best of the Film Noir. Robert Mitchum plays Jeff Bailey a private eye who gets mixed up with (actually between) gangster Whit Sterling (Kirk Douglas) and his girl Kathie Moffat (Jane Greer). Bailey is sent to find the Sterling’s girl who has shot the gangster and run off. Not sure if Sterling wants the girl back to kill her or to make-up, Bailey finds her. But, Bailey decides he loves her and he runs off with her. After realizing just what deep trouble he is in, he tries to leave that life behind and live a quiet, simple life with a nice girl.
However, his past finds him out and he is sent on one more job for Sterling. Is he being set-up? Is Kathy double-crossing him? Or, does she love him? Bailey has to stay on top and think quickly to stay alive. You can see his wheels turning as he contemplates his options. When he needs to get tough, he gets tough. Where are the men like Mitchum today? Which American actor do you believe could knock-out a man out with one punch? Anyway…
Out of the Past is well shot and the story has a lot of characters, but not so many that it’s confusing. The photography is beautiful and the DVD transfer is high quality. Told partly through flashback, the story unfolds naturally and the end fits well with the story. There is some great dialog, especially in the scene with Kirk and Mitchum on the balcony. A beautiful example of subtext, saying one thing while clearly meaning another.
Remade in 1984 as Against All Odds, which I don’t remember except Phil Collins sang the song.
Out of the Past is well worth your time. If you are a Film Noir fan, you probably should own it.