THE
SET-UP (1949)
Starring
Robert Ryan, Audrey Totter, George Tobias, Alan Baxter, Wallace Ford.
Directed by Robert Wise. (72 min)
ON
BLU-RAY FROM
Review
by Mr. Pawsđ¸
Film noir and boxing go together like cops & doughnuts,
and for my money, there isn’t a more effective example than The
Set-Up. More so than The Killers or The Harder They
Fall, we really feel like we’re examining the underside of an
overturned rock.
Robert
Ryan is terrific as “Stoker” Thompson, an aging boxer who never hit the big
time. Still, he clings to the hope that he’ll win again someday.
And he’s just one of a dozen-or-so others who fight each weekend at
the seedy Paradise City Arena. Some are young hopefuls, others are as
worn-out and weary as Stoker. Though it’s never spoken, most of
these men seem aware they’re destined to serve as little more than
cannon fodder for up-and-coming boxers bankrolled by crooked
gamblers.
Thompson’s
manager, Tiny (George Tobias) arranges for him to take a dive during
his next match, but since Stoker has lost his last 27 fights,
neglects to inform him. Meanwhile, Stoker gears-up for the match,
confident he can win this time. However, his wife, Julie (Audrey
Totter), refuses to watch him take another beating. In fact, she
wants him to quit so the two of them can start a new life.
 |
| "More gin, Stoke?" |
Primarily a character study, The Set-Up is presented almost in
real time, from the deal Tiny makes with local mobster Little Boy
(Alan Baxter), through the revealing, introspective locker room
moments and culminating in Stoker’s match.
By this time, his quiet desperation not-only has us rooting for him,
but fearing for his life since he’s completely unaware he’s
supposed to lose. No stranger to the genre, Ryan is believable as an
aging fighter, both in and out of the ring.
The
climactic fight sequence is long, grueling and – considering the
era when the film was made – brilliantly shot and edited. We feel
like were in the middle of the fight, feeling every punch. It’s
only fitting that Martin Scorsese contributes to the film’s audio
commentary, since this sequence obviously had a huge influence on
Raging Bull.
Director
Robert Wise has made a slew
of iconic classics in a variety of genres, which tends to overshadow how
skillfully he could put together a comparatively
small, visceral piece of film
noir, particularly in his early years. The Set-Up
is a prime example of the genre, full of intriguing character-driven
moments, a bruising climax and
a bittersweet resolution. Great stuff.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
AUDIO
COMMENTARY – By Director Robert Wise and Martin Scorsese (of
course).
KITTY CONSENSUS:
PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS.
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