Film Review: To Have and Have Not (1944)

about 1 year ago

(source: tmdb.org)

There are films that became legendary more because of what had been going on on the set than because of what viewers could have seen on the screen. One such example is To Have and Have Not, 1944 romantic adventure film by Howard Hawks, best known for pairing one of the most iconic couples of Classic Hollywood.

The film is very loosely based on the eponymous 1937 novel by Ernest Hemingway. The plot is set in Summer of 1940, shortly after France has fallen to Nazi Germany and almost all of its colonial possessions came under the rule of pro-German Vichy regime. That includes Caribbean island of Martinique where protagonist, an American skipper Harry “Steve” Morgan (played by Humphrey Bogart) tries to make ends meet by offering his fishing boat to rich tourists, like fellow American Mr. Johnson (played by Walter Sande), who ends owing 825 US$ to Harry for his services. Johnson has promised to pay the next day, but before this happens, seductive young woman Marie “Slim” Browning (played by Lauren Bacall) steals his wallet. Harry sees this and confronts her, after which she hands over the wallet that includes travellers checks and plane tickets that indicate that Johnson didn’t intend to pay. Before Johnson can pay, he gets accidentally killed in the shootout before Vichy secret police and members of local Free French resistance. After secret police Captain Renard (played by Dan Seymour) confiscates Harry’s own wallet and passport, forcing him to accept offer by his hotel owner Gerard “Frenchy” (played by Marcel Dalio) to help two Free French agents arrive to Martinique in exchange for money.

To Have and Have Not is not considered to be among the best films of Classic Hollywood. Many critics complain that it is nothing more than rip-off of Casablanca and there are valid arguments for such claim – both film feature Humphrey Bogart as cynical world-weary protagonist who rather reluctantly joins anti-fascist cause; French colony under Vichy rule provides exotic setting; large parts of plot takes place in bar where pianist (in this case famous singer and songwriter Hoagy Carmichael) entertains audience with number of catchy tunes. Much of those elements were brought by director Howard Hawks and screenwriter William Faulkner who altered content of Hemingway’s original novel (generally regarded as one of his lesser works) beyond recognition, throwing out original plot that dealt with generic smuggling and left-wing social criticism. Despite those interventions, To Have and Have Not is actually well-made film that displays one of the most versatile and talented directors of Classic Hollywood at its best. Plot unfolds quickly and, despite relative lack of action, audience’s attention is kept by snappy dialogue and economically, but efficiently drawn characters. Martinique is well-reconstructed in Hollywood studios and the music by Franz Waxman is very good, and same can be said by Sidney Hickox’s black-and-white cinematography that, perhaps inadvertently, gives To Have and Have Not slightly “noirish” atmosphere.

Bogart is very good despite, more or less, repeating his role from Casablanca. It is his new partner that makes this film legendary. Lauren Bacall, 19-year fashion model in her fist acting role, cast on the advice of Hawks’ wife Nancy “Slim” Keith, simply shines playing the character of immoral and resourceful, but ultimately irresistible woman. The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall is more than palpable and young actress easily complements all possible shortcomings of her partner. Unsurprisingly, both of them fell in love on the set in married few months after premiere, becoming one of the most iconic couples of Classic Hollywood. Yet, To Have and Have Not is more Bacall’s than Bogart’s film. Bacall easily outshines all other actors, includes veteran Walter Brennan, whose character of Harry’s alcoholic assistant Eddie is actually not that important for the film. In comparison with her, young Dolores Moran looks less glamorous and less talented in the role of French resistance leader’s wife. To Have and Have Not, while not among the best films of Classic Hollywood, still can be recommended to today’s audience as fine example of what film making craftsmanship in good old days could do.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)