The Asheville Film Society will screen Detour Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at The Grail Moviehouse, hosted by Xpress movie critic Scott Douglas.
Detour
Movie Information
Some have called Edgar G. Ulmer’s Detour (1945) the ultimate example of film noir. While I wouldn’t necessarily go that far, it is unquestionably a tour de force and a nigh-unassailable classic of the genre. A Poverty Row cheapie shot in six days on a practically nonexistent budget, Detour bears all the hallmarks of classic film noir; deep shadows and even shadier characters, a salacious and minimalistic plot, a disreputable protagonist and a femme fatale. Ulmer’s compositions are most likely indebted to his time working with Murnau, and the influence does this film some substantial favors. Ulmer’s oeuvre is uneven in places, but when he was on he was on, and this film is possibly his best and certainly my favorite of his films.
| Score: | |
| Genre: | Film Noir |
| Director: | Edgar G. Ulmer |
| Starring: | Tom Neal, Ann Savage, Claudia Drake |
| Rated: | NR |
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.