Am a big fan of the thriller genre, one of my favourite genres even if there are a fair share of ones that are not so good, and melodrama has worked extremely well many times (melodramas starring for two examples Bette Davis and Joan Crawford at their best being especially good) despite traps. John Sturges was a more than capable director, with 'The Great Escape' and 'The Magnificent Seven' being great films, and Barbara Stanwyck is considered a legend for good reason.
Both Sturges and Stanwyck are served very well in 'Jeopardy'. As is Ralph Meeker. Barry Sullivan not so much. 'Jeopardy' is a case of the material being very solid on the most part but of it not being quite up to the same level as the talent involved, the cast and Sturges did deserve a little better than what they got but mostly they are served very well as said and are far from wasted. While far from a must see, 'Jeopardy' is still well worth watching.
'Jeopardy's' credibility does go out of the window somewhat in the second half, with Meeker's character turning out to not be as intelligent as he first seemed for instance. The ending is exciting but also felt a bit rushed and on the silly side.
Sullivan is a bit too stiff in a bland role, excepting some nice chemistry with Lee Aaker (giving a performance that proves that he was more than just cute and not much else, he proves himself to be quite beyond his years resourceful).
On the other hand, there is a lot to like here. Stanwyck's performance is subtle yet increasingly gutsy and Meeker gives one the absolute creeps without overdoing it, even when more toned down than they could have been the dynamic between them has a lot of tension still. Sturges directs with tautness and the script is tightly structured and intelligently written.
The story has flaws in the second half, but often crackles with excitement and is genuinely suspenseful when necessary. The photography is wonderfully atmospheric and some of the noir-ish visuals are quite unsettlingly nightmarish. Dmitri Tiomkin's music score adds a lot and is haunting without being too over-scored.
Concluding, good but not great (the latter of which it could easily have been). 7/10
Both Sturges and Stanwyck are served very well in 'Jeopardy'. As is Ralph Meeker. Barry Sullivan not so much. 'Jeopardy' is a case of the material being very solid on the most part but of it not being quite up to the same level as the talent involved, the cast and Sturges did deserve a little better than what they got but mostly they are served very well as said and are far from wasted. While far from a must see, 'Jeopardy' is still well worth watching.
'Jeopardy's' credibility does go out of the window somewhat in the second half, with Meeker's character turning out to not be as intelligent as he first seemed for instance. The ending is exciting but also felt a bit rushed and on the silly side.
Sullivan is a bit too stiff in a bland role, excepting some nice chemistry with Lee Aaker (giving a performance that proves that he was more than just cute and not much else, he proves himself to be quite beyond his years resourceful).
On the other hand, there is a lot to like here. Stanwyck's performance is subtle yet increasingly gutsy and Meeker gives one the absolute creeps without overdoing it, even when more toned down than they could have been the dynamic between them has a lot of tension still. Sturges directs with tautness and the script is tightly structured and intelligently written.
The story has flaws in the second half, but often crackles with excitement and is genuinely suspenseful when necessary. The photography is wonderfully atmospheric and some of the noir-ish visuals are quite unsettlingly nightmarish. Dmitri Tiomkin's music score adds a lot and is haunting without being too over-scored.
Concluding, good but not great (the latter of which it could easily have been). 7/10