A Woman's Devotion (1956)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

A Masterpiece!

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Ralph Meeker is a vet who has headaches, blackouts, and the alarming things that in classic cinema make him an easy target for a suspicious cop. Paul Henreid, the suspicious cop, is ready to toss the guy into a prison cell. Can A WOMAN'S DEVOTION, supplied by Janice Rule, keep Meeker out of a nasty prison in beautiful Acapulco?This is one of those films that gets called noir -- in this case because the plot, featuring a vet who have gone bad, seems to cry out for black and white photography, bleak cynicism, and gun play amongst the Venetian blinds. But it really does not belong in that category -- partly because the focus of the picture is really on a well acted cat and mouse game between Paul Henreid -- playing a bitter Mexican cop to perfection -- and Janice Rule, who is a devoted wife, but a smart one, determined to get her husband out of the mess that is slowly surrounding him. The other star, one rendered in Republic's Technicolor variant, is Acapulco, which is seedier than what one usually sees in the movies.The film starts slowly -- because Henreid (the director) is determined to show happiness between Rule and Meeker -- and he is also giving himself time to establish the true sour core of his character. The result is once the mystery elements finally get going, we actually feel for these characters, and that makes the (alas) inevitable end that more powerful. Yet another scarce film that needs a release, but does not have the obvious hook for it. And the next time TCM does a Paul Henreid retrospective, they need to find this one. His direction draws out the best in his actors (except for Meeker, who misplays his part in the later reels). His own acting seems inspired by being cast a bit against type.

This film, directed by accomplished actor, Paul Henreid who also plays the police captain, is a dark and disturbing film entry in the noir genre. It stars Ralph Meeker, as a returning WWII veteran who is suffering from what they called in those day, "shell shock". He gets involved with a local bar girl in Mexico and later she is found dead in a hotel room. A maid finds a clue implicating Meeker and she, in concert with the dead girl's boyfriend. try a little blackmail. This leads to another murder and Meeker is in deep trouble. The denouement takes place at the airport and Meeker come out on the short end of the stick.We are left to draw our own conclusions as to whether Meeker actually committed the murders or not. That may be seen as a shortcoming of the film but it makes you remember this little gem. Very competent film making by Henreid.

I had no idea what to expect, especially with two very different titles ("A Woman's Devotion" vs "Battle Shock"), but this film turned out to be quite entertaining. Janice Rule (Estelle) and Rosenda Monteros (Maria) were very good, as was Paul Henreid (the police captain; he also directed this movie).Filmed in color on location in Mexico, this picture was visually rich and gave a great sense of place. There is a very frank, unglamourous fight between two male characters that is all the better for putting awkward realism over the choreographed look.The Mexican supporting cast, especially for the characters of Maria and the chief of police, did quite well. Smooth editing and good directing. Only two problems - Ralph Meeker wasn't the best choice for the male lead, and the ending left me wanting a bit of denouement.Overall, very watchable and enjoyable, and I'd see it again.