Fallen Angel

Fallen Angel is a compelling piece of noir cinema from the golden era of Hollywood, released in 1945. Directed by Otto Preminger and based on a novel by Marty Holland, the film is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and criminal intrigue that effectively captures the moody, suspenseful ambiance characteristic of film noir. The film features an ensemble cast of talent, including Alice Faye, Dana Andrews, and Linda Darnell, whose performances inject the narrative with verve and intensity.

One of the unique aspects of Fallen Angel is the nuanced roles played by its main characters, Eric Stanton (Dana Andrews), Stella (Linda Darnell), and June Mills (Alice Faye). Andrews convincingly portrays a compelling mix of charm and opportunism as Stanton, a drifter with a dubious past who lands in the small coastal town of Walton in California. Stanton has dreams of making it big but with limited funds and no job, he struggles to make ends meet.

Enter Stella, a femme fatale waitress played with sultry charisma by Linda Darnell. She is world-weary, cynical, and elusive, and has every man in the town enamored by her beauty. Stanton instantly falls for Stella, however, due to her aspirations to get away from the small town life, she has no interest in a man without money.

Contrasting Stella's provocative character, Alice Faye delivers a subtle and soulful performance as June Mills, a wealthy but naive spinster. June is the secretary to a wealthy local family, and her character brings an element of innocence and vulnerability to the narrative. She is also obviously smitten by Stanton, but approaches her feelings with cautious optimism.

As Stanton navigates between the opposing pulls of Stella and June, he devises a scheme to acquire the wealth he thinks would enable him to win over Stella. In doing so, he involves himself in the sophisticated and wealthy world of June and her elder sister Clara. This move not only puts him in financial and societal waters he's never navigated before, but also sets forth a complex array of emotions and motivations.

The complex triangular relationship between Stanton, Stella, and June forms the emotional underpinning of the movie and serves as the backdrop for a dark, borderline sinister plot. Preminger expertly weaves the central narrative against the backdrop of a quiet coastal town, building tension and intrigue as the plot unfolds.

Certain plot developments in the latter half of the movie give Fallen Angel a suspenseful twist, transforming it from a straightforward romance to a swirling mystery. The film effectively keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, as characters reveal their concealed motives and the narrative takes unexpected turns. The layered characters, whose personas further unravel as the storyline progresses, coupled with the chest-tightening suspense, offer a gripping cinematic experience.

Adding more depth to the narrative is the brilliant cinematography by Joseph LaShelle. The images of the foggy California coast, the low-key lighting and high contrast between light and shadow, coupled with a haunting musical score by David Raksin, add to the atmospheric tension and express the lurking sense of dread and doom.

Preminger's Fallen Angel, with its complex, morally ambiguous characters, intricately woven plot, and atmospheric visuals and score, is an absorbing slice of film noir from Hollywood's classic era. Its compelling narrative, combined with top-notch performances, particularly by Andrews, Darnell, and Faye, make it an intriguing watch for fans of the genre. Though not as popular as other noir films of the era, it remains a fascinating exploration of love, lust, ambition and deception.