Mr. Arkadin

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Asa H 06/25/2023 Some of the most stiff and staged acting ever seen..Even Orson does a terrible job. The direction is very amateurish as is the production value. Can't quite understand the high ratings here... See more Rex Michael D 03/14/2023 The lens to best view the 1955 film "Mr. Arkadin," (also retitled and released as "Confidential Report" (1955)), is in the context of another post-war film, "The Third Man" (1949). The Third Man is clearly superiorly written by intrigue-novelist Graham Greene. Wells' acting was much less ham-fisted in the Third Man, but there are parallels in these stories. The reason these films should be viewed as a duplet is that they take us to a place largely overlooked in American cinema. Since World War II, the Americans can only see themselves as the triumphalist heroes of Europe. Yet it is in these films that we hear of American opportunist scoundrelism that stooped to the levels of selling bogus medication (in The Third Man) and all manner of profiteering done by the infamous billionaire before and after the war in Mr. Arkadin/Confidential Report. Spoiler: In both films, Wells' character is the underbelly. Heroine use is spoken about directly in Mr. Arkadin/Confidential Report. Arkan's activities in the inter-war years (the touchstone of his billionaire fortune) included a phony dance school that abducted Polish girls for a sex trafficking ring in Warsaw and sold them into prostitution. In a sense, Arkadin and the mysterious Sophie are the prototypes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghillane Maxwell. The images in both films do include the actual ruble from European cities not yet rebuilt from the devastation of WWII. In this regard, these films stand as time capsules and have value for this in and of itself. It is of historical value that both of these capture the desperation in Europe during the post-war era, despite the jet-setting nature of the billionaire and his foolish errand boy sent to investigate. There is an "almost" aspect to the Mr. Arkadin/Confidential Report film(s). There is a thriller storyline that was there; a story concept buried deep under the over-the-top acting by the main characters. Had they been less bombastic this film might have made for a true classic in the way that The Third Man is, underrated though it The Third Man is today. See more Cem Y 02/26/2023 Camera shots were well thought, and plot is interesting enough. However, the acting is raw and unnecessarily exaggerated even when we consider the movies made at that period. See more Martin B 03/23/2022 All I can remember is Wells staring into the camera. He loved having the camera catch his every nuanced pose. Took to long setting up and getting into the plot. Just too much of Orson Wells. See more @ExcessMale 09/25/2021 Orson Welles helms this economical 100 minute flick in front of and behind the lens. While it is an effective little thriller, this story of a forgetful vulnerable magnate does have a very abrupt ending that may disappoint many viewers. See more Ken R 09/19/2021 Orson Welles hits and runs yet again with this over-everything mess. This fellow wasted his talent by trying to make movies for himself with little regard for the viewing public - who would eventually have to part with their hard earned cash to sit in picture houses all over the world, wondering what could continue to go so awfully wrong. Too often we see raves for this fellow's indulgences from other movie makers like Scorsese, Spielberg, Tarantino, and Bogdanovich, they seem to belong to a 'self-congratulatory movie club', specializing in a pat-each-other-on-the-back style of praise. If Wells had concentrated on his talents as a performer or collaborated with more controlled moviemakers (i.e. Carol Reed, George Stevens, William Wyler, etc) we may have experienced more masterpieces. Instead, we have a steady rollout of sorry 'could-have-beens' or unfinished titles from an eccentric, compulsive egotist. Looking at this movie is an eye-rolling experience many balanced movie lovers will tire of very early - in fact, my audience either slept or walked out. Camera angles for unimportant scenes were so overly staged it detracted from what the scenes simply set out to convey. Less would have been more for any movie maker in control of their project. All this might work for those bent on idolizing a fallen one or two hit wonder. Wells seemed bent on destroying his obvious creative giftedness with unregulated egocentric opulence. Little wonder producers were forced to take control of his projects before they were all sent to the poorhouse. If not yet seen, watch it for a mostly excellent cast (except for the main lead!) being wasted within excess overindulgence. For a great movie experience look again at Citizen Kane - then consider that a young Orson, first-time movie maker, was blessed with some of the finest creative film talents in the American cinematic industry to teach and carry him over the bumps... Innovative master cinematographer: Gregg Toland ~ brilliant writer: Herman Mankiewicz assisted by John Houseman ~ experienced first assistant director: Edward Donahue ~ Editor: Robert Wise ~ executive in charge of production: Pandro S. Berman. These people would continue to make successful movies throughout their careers. When Orson distanced himself from the likes of these talented folk and took over the reins himself, it all began to fall over. There are many other master movie makers to honor - who are too often, quietly cast aside for the sake of relative failures and, this appears to be mostly instigated by others enamored with their own self-importance. Take a closer look and judge for yourself. K.R. See more Read all reviews

Mr. Arkadin

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