Second Chance (1953)

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

My main reason for seeing Second Chance was Jack Palance, a great actor (apart from the odd out-of-kilter-hammy performance, and mostly in films that are not very good in the first place) who particularly excelled in villain roles. Second Chance has its fair share of faults and is not a great film, but has enough to make worth a look.Palance's performance is also one of the best things about the film. Some understandably feel that he overdid it here but that was most likely to do that Palance was trying (and succeeded) to make much of a role that didn't have very much to it. It is a marvellously creepy performance that is filled with intensity, particularly frightening in the climax. Linda Darnell has perhaps the most dramatic role of the three leads and does a good job with it, she is quite affecting and holds her own against Palance and Robert Mitchum, who is as charismatic as ever.Another plus is the Mexican scenery, which is absolutely splendid, and is aided by striking photography and colours that are both gritty and vibrant. The film's highlight is the last third, with a crackling climax with the cable car, filled with terror and suspense that one wishes was present earlier in the film. There is also a colourful and fun if also rather overlong fiesta scene and the boxing match has a riveting intensity, its behind-the-scenes story being just as fascinating, the pursuit of Darnell by Palance is also done pretty well.For all Second Chance's good things, it could also have been much better. The story is what brings it down, while it comes to life in the last third, two thirds of the film apart from is not as compelling and rather routine, its loose ends due to having ideas not explained enough make some of it confusing especially in the first part. It also tries to be too many elements, and while none of them are done terribly they've all been done better and better, the first part 's storytelling could have been clearer and the 'dream-like romance' that dominates the middle act suffers from dull pacing and lacking chemistry, Palance and Darnell's chemistry is pretty good and not very involving, pretty mechanical actually, with her and Mitchum.Second Chance's script has some intelligent moments but generally is the kind that gets the job done but with not enough excitement, and the same can be said for the direction. Pacing also could have been much tighter, dragging in particularly the middle act.Overall, routine film but has a great climax, and Palance and the scenery also make it worth a look. 6/10 Bethany Cox

These are the last spoken words in this movie, before it ends rather abruptly. They characterize the whole affair accurately. Second Chance is a beautiful movie, the locations in Mexico look superb and made me yearn for my next holiday, despite the faded colors. In the middle there is a long sequence of a typical fiesta with fireworks and a surprisingly lascivious and suggestive dance scene – just for the fun of it. The action moves on to a spectacular old suspension railway which I also found impressive and entertaining.Unfortunately the story development is not good. It looks like nobody could decide what kind of movie this should be. It starts out like a film noir, then becomes a dreamy romance before turning into a classic, full fledged disaster flick with a suspended cable car full of different characters (look how all passengers assemble on the rear platform without the whole thing keeling over as I expect it should). Every part is OK in itself, but the different pieces do not tie together well.Anybody who is interested in old movies, where locations, objects and events may or may not have symbolic significance will like this Technicolor movie made by RKO studios in its last stages of existence.

Claire Sinclair is hiding out in Mexico from her mob ex-boyfriend. However the arrival of violent admirer Cappy Gordon, who has been sent by his boss to stop her talking by killing her, places her in immediate danger. She turns to the open arms of boxer Russ Lambert, who admires her also, for protection. However the threat from Cappy is still present, leading to a confrontation between the two men.When this film was released, it's was promoted on the basis that it was a 3D film, but not a gimmicky film but one with a real plot. However this feels like it may have been false advertising as I didn't see that in evidence. The film wants to be a noir and has elements of this, but really is too bright and hopeful to be a noir. Colourful both in gaudy Technicolor but also in the content. The film drags along with the central romance forming but it lacks tension – the final 20 minutes in a cable car should have been really tense (Where Eagles Dare anyone?) but is really flat and straightforward. Only twice does it get dramatic.The characters are far too black and white to work in an attempted noir. Sinclair is supposedly a gangster's moll but never convinces me and Darnell doesn't play it well. Mitchum is OK but again his boxer is just a really good guy – even afraid to hit anyone hard because his last hard punch killed someone. Palance is also just plain bad and cowardly. There is an interesting strand because Cappy loves Claire but this is not explored and is really wasted. Palance gives his usual breathless, sneering performance and does manage some menace.The film feels like it has been made to do the 3D thing. The plot may try to be more than just this gimmick, but it doesn't stand up. The film is distinctly average and is a bit of a let down. It may be worth watching as a novelty but as drama, noir or thriller it works well on no level.

This film is typical but enjoyable Mitchum/Darnell film noir with the added twist of 3-D. Rudolph Mate best known for his work as a cinematographer directed the film and the visuals are outstanding. I only wish we had a second chance to see it in 3-D.