Simply A Masterpiece

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It's astonishing to know that Kubrick went from this amateurish freshman effort - bested by many film school projects - to become the director of a major Hollywood blockbuster (Spartacus) in only two films; The Killing and Paths of Glory. That, to me, is the only reason to watch this Killer's Kiss: to understand the breadth of Kubrick's genius.

Just like Killer's Kiss, I'm going to keep my review brief and pointless. Before Stanley went on making 150-180 minute epics, he started out with this little noir thriller about a boxer protecting the girl next door. At just over one hour this is his shortest ever film and only his only film to have an entirely original screenplay written by him. It's easy to see why Stanley later looked to adapt stories by others, as Killer's Kiss unfortunately isn't up to much at all.Considering that the film was made on a teeny weeny budget of $40,000 raised by friends and relatives (kind of like Darren Aronofsky's Pi) it's actually not too bad. It was also made during the pre-Spartacus era where the studios didn't give Stanley final cut on his films and so his original ending was changed to a happier one. I think a solemn ending would've helped the film be slightly more memorable though.The film is brilliantly shot and I couldn't help but marvel at the use of lighting. Towards the end of the film, the lighting almost becomes another character and adds to the film's incredibly stylish mood. It has the look of a classic noir however, it doesn't have a story to match.It all feels rather too conventional and fairly dull. There's a boxing sequence which the back of the DVD compared to Raging Bull, but it's nothing like and adds little to the story. There's a good fight scene at the end, but by the time it's all over I was left wondering what the point of it was.It's a brief film which features bland characters and a boring story. It is very stylish and lovely to look at but it doesn't have much depth to it. You can tell that it's directed by a man who knows his wizardry, however he clearly hadn't fully learnt his craft yet. Let's hope that the more lauded, The Killing has more to offer in the way of plot and thrills!

Before judging "Killer's kiss" one has to take into account some considerations. It is Stanley's second feature film. With a very low- budget he achieved a decent film noir. Unlike every other Kubrick film, the plot is quite plain and predictable. A classical criminal storyline together with a sensitive love story. The attempt of davey of rescuing her woman from the hands of her crazy boss who is in love with her.I particularly enjoyed the chase and finally the fight between Davey and Rapallo. After a stimulating chase they end up in a creepy warehouse, inside a circle of maniquies and they fight, spear against axe. In a sort of circus-like battlefield, or maybe a colisseum of maniquies, Davey is victorious. Maybe this movie doesn't fit the category of "unique" as his work of the following years would, but if you enjoy film noir then you should definitely watch it.

Film noir has always eluded me, but Killer's Kiss is one rare exception. Maybe it's because it's so short, or because the photography is so stylish, or because it has an excellent fight scene at the end. Drag is pretty minimal, as is the story, but what it lacks, the film makes up for in its visual prowess. In fact, with only limited dialogue and plot, the film is best seen as a visual experience: it's a story told with the images, rather than with words or narrative.I've shown this film off to a few folks, and they all find the plot to be pretty stupid and silly. I can't deny that there's not a whole lot to it. It's a very simple story with minimal character development. It is framed as a flashback story, lending some strength to the narrative.What I find most notable, however, is the filming. The photography is top-notch, with superb camera angles, lighting, and composition. Editing is solid. Acting is not too bad, and the writing gets the job done. This production uses very simple, but also very real-looking, sets, props, and costumes. Music is appropriate as well.I find this film to be a quick and easily-accessible dose of quality film noir entertainment. I recommend it.4/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Average | Film: Perfect)