The Killers

The Killers, directed by noted American filmmaker Don Siegel and released in 1964, is a noir-style crime thriller that draws inspiration from Ernest Hemingway's 1927 short story of the same name. Featuring Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, and John Cassavetes in prominent roles, the film is a reimagining of Robert Siodmak's 1946 classic. However, Siegel's version distinguishes itself by ascribing a gritty and hardboiled atmosphere to the story. The intricate narrative, suspenseful moments, and intense performances ensure that The Killers stands out in the crowded crime thriller genre.

Lee Marvin stars as Charlie Strom, an experienced hitman bestowed with a calm demeanor and brutal grit, who works alongside his partner Lee, played aptly by Clu Gulager. The Killers opens with Charlie and Lee eliminating Johnny North (John Cassavetes), a former race car driver turned teacher at a school for the blind. But as his last act, Johnny shows no resistance or fear, perplexing both assassins and inspiring them to dig deeper into his history.

The plot thickens as the hitmen uncover a web filled with deceit, betrayal, and crime, tangled in the mystery of a great heist. The narrative is a truly engaging thriller that provides an unexpectedly immersive experience for viewers. The story effectively combines aspects of mob and heist genres, portraying a realistic depiction of the fatalistic world of crime.

Angie Dickinson, one of the pioneers of female representation in action films, plays Sheila Farr, the femme fatale, who used to be Johnny’s lover. Sheila is at the center of the convoluted plot, having had her loyalties divided between Johnny and mobster Jack Browning (Ronald Reagan in his last film role before moving into politics). It is Sheila's character that adds a layer of emotional depth and complexity to this predominantly masculine narrative.

The profound performances of the actors cannot be understated in creating the film's gripping atmosphere. Marvin's cynical hitman is stoic yet lethal, bringing intensity to his character. The then-emerging actor John Cassavetes delivers an utterly compelling performance as the hapless Johnny North, his complex persona echoing his ultimate doomed fate. Angie Dickinson complements the bravado of her male counterparts with admirable grace and seductive charm. Reagan, on the other hand, discards his smooth personality to portray a ruthless villain, bringing a shocking but fascinating facet to his on-screen persona.

Siegel’s directorial treatment is unrelenting and bold. The sense of fatalism, a hallmark of classic noir films, is evident in his craft. He explicates the doomed destiny of the characters without resorting to excessive drama, thus adding a different taste to the narrative. The film hosts an array of vibrant sequences, the robbery being the most striking among them. Its dramatization is not only significant narrative-wise but also serves as an exemplary display of Siegel's directorial prowess. The tone of the film is inevitably defined by the sharp, gritty camera work, contributing to the sense of impending doom.

The setting also enhances the film's gritty atmosphere, underlining the bleak realities of life. The bustling city with its secretive corners, the quiet suburbs, and interiors like bars and hotels, all add to the storyline's character. Coupled with an implicitly haunting musical score, the overall vibe of The Killers is of chilling suspense and continuous tension, truly encapsulating the essence of noir cinema.

A significant attribute of The Killers is its structure. The film's non-linear narrative, concocted with flashbacks, gives audiences snippets into the doomed lives of the protagonists, serving the tension uninterruptedly.

The Killers explores themes of destiny, crime, betrayal, and revenge quite effectively without ever preaching. The narrative undercurrent of tragedy is evident without being overly stated. It paints a subtle picture of crime being a losing game and highlights fatalism's grim reality with poetic resonance.

All in all, The Killers of 1964, led by predominantly powerful performances, exceptionally characterized story arcs and Siegel's atmospheric direction, is a riveting crime thriller, one which would indulge and even bewitch those who appreciate noir cinema. It truly is an exploration of the dark underbelly of society through its characters, their decisions, and their inevitable destinies. While it's a remake, The Killers neither mimics nor tries to outdo its predecessor but presents an entirely distinct interpretation, making it a must-watch.