There Was a Crooked Man

Thematically consistent but brutally unsubtle message movie. Production is much too good for sophomoric material. Comedy score may have actually undercut the effect completely; straight score might have allowed the blackness of the comedy to be discovered instead of shoving it in our face. Uneven tone also contributes: a Benny Hill-style chase is right next door to a brutal stabbing by Warren Oates. Who, by the way, does a fine job. All the performances were solid, which just makes the end result that much more puzzling.