Mirage (1965)

Sadly Over-hyped

Lack of good storyline.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This is a pretty good movie which makes about 1 3/4hours pass quickly. However, it seemed to me that the producers began to become concerned about the expense at about the 1 hour 40 minute mark and told the director to wrap it up, which he did. The total time spent on the denouement was no more than 5 minutes.

Once you watch this movie about a mysterious amnesiac you will never forget it. It has some of the snappiest dialog this side of Casablanca. The script is fantastic and the imagery is iconic. In this and other respects it follows in the Hitchcock tradition, most of all North by Northwest, in which Cary Grant Grant must figure out who he is, or rather who the bad guys think he is. And, like Mirage, there is a beautiful femme fatale who is on the side of the bad guys, more or less. A key part of this Hitch formula is to take a fairly normal guy and put him in James Bond's shoes, so to speak, and see how long he stays alive. This shows up again in Silver Streak.As the viewer watches this unfold, the movie lays down a challenge: How could these seemingly impossible things have happened in a way that makes sense? Behind it all is the maguffin, the spy deus ex machina. I see some posters have complained about the weak ending, but I think the maguffin in Mirage is actually much stronger and relevant than that in North by Northwest which was nothing more than some xxxxxxx. (No, I'm not going to tell.)Every character is strongly etched, without becoming caricatures, like some more recent movies, particularly the menacing George Kennedy as Willard, and the often comedic Jack Weston as Lester. And who can forget House Jameson as the senior citizen hit man? But it is Walter Matthau who steals the show as newbie private eye with common sense and a conscience. Talk about avoiding stereotypes! He tries to give back half his fee, saying he's not worth it. This is one of Matthau's earliest major film roles, and still one of his most memorable. Another reason I love this film is the setting in Manhattan in the mid- 1960s, perhaps at its most picturesque point in recent history. I lived in a suburb, and often came into the city back then. The movie brings back the feel of the city at the time. And then there is the allusion to the great Northeast Blackout, a strange nightmarish experience that really happened.Obviously, I am trying to avoid giving away the plot, but don't worry, even after you know the ending, you will still enjoy watching the movie again. If you are lucky enough to find this on DVD, buy it because this is a rare movie, and one of those rare movies that you can watch over and over again over the years.

In spite of a disappointing ending,the last good movie by Dmytryk,before the fall into mediocrities such as "Shalako" and "Bluebeard".He creates an atmosphere to rival the best of "crossfire" or ' the sniper" .The opening during a power failure ,is brilliant :as the hero suffers from amnesia,it's an extraordinary metaphor .Gregory Peck portrays a man who does not recognize the world around him ;supporting cast is first-class:Diane Baker ,an underrated actress makes the best of an underwritten part;Walter Matthau almost steals the show with his portrayal of a private .Good scenes in the zoo or in the shrink's office.

A man suffering from amnesia must elude killers while trying to remember why he is being targeted. This thriller is a little frustrating to watch because, like the protagonist, the viewer has no clue what is going on for much of the movie. While somewhat intriguing initially, it soon becomes tiresome. When the truth is finally revealed, it is not only stupid and underwhelming but also undermines some of the plot points from earlier in the film. Peck is OK if somewhat dull as the amnesia victim. Baker is alluring as the love interest. Mathau is terrific as a private detective but his role is too brief. The cinematography is drab and the direction is uninspired.