Detour (1945)


 

Detour (1945)

Detour is a gritty, atmospheric drama-thriller that epitomizes the bleak allure of film noir. Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer, the film follows the harrowing journey of Al Roberts (played by Tom Neal), a down-on-his-luck nightclub pianist. Desperate to reunite with his girlfriend Sue (Claudia Drake), who has moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams, Al decides to hitchhike cross-country from New York City.

The trip takes a dark turn when Al accepts a ride from Charles Haskell Jr. (Edmund MacDonald), a shady gambler with a mysterious past. When Haskell suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Al panics and assumes Haskell's identity to avoid being implicated in the death. This act of desperation sets off a chain of events that spirals into a nightmare. Things become even more dire when Al encounters Vera (Ann Savage), a sharp-tongued and manipulative drifter who knows too much about Haskell and uses this knowledge to ensnare Al in her web of schemes and blackmail.

Review

Detour is a masterclass in economical storytelling, achieving its haunting impact with a shoestring budget and a runtime of just 68 minutes. Edgar G. Ulmer crafts an unrelentingly bleak portrait of fate's cruelty, where every choice Al makes seems to tighten the noose around his neck. The film's tight pacing, stark cinematography, and moody score amplify the sense of inevitability and despair.

Tom Neal delivers a compelling performance as the hapless Al, embodying a man at the mercy of forces beyond his control. Ann Savage's turn as Vera is unforgettable; her venomous presence is both terrifying and magnetic, making her one of the most iconic femme fatales of classic noir.

Shot in low-budget conditions, Detour uses its limitations to its advantage. The sparse sets, heavy shadows, and clever use of rear projection create a dreamlike quality that mirrors Al’s descent into a nightmare.

While some might find its narrative leaps and melodramatic dialogue dated by modern standards, the film’s raw emotional intensity and nihilistic worldview remain impactful. Detour is a quintessential example of film noir, a testament to the genre’s ability to blend moral ambiguity with fatalistic storytelling.

Why Watch It?

If you’re a fan of classic noir or enjoy stories about ordinary individuals caught in extraordinary circumstances, Detour is a must-watch. It’s a gripping exploration of bad luck, bad choices, and the inexorable pull of fate.

Rating: 8/10
A brief but unforgettable ride down the darkest road of human desperation.





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