{"id":3233,"date":"2007-05-21T02:28:01","date_gmt":"2007-05-21T09:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3233"},"modified":"2021-01-15T23:36:45","modified_gmt":"2021-01-16T06:36:45","slug":"reckless-moment-the-1949","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3233","title":{"rendered":"Reckless Moment, The (1949)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;These are letters which your daughter wrote to the late Ted Darby.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Poster-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-30799\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Poster-198x300.jpg 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Poster-84x128.jpg 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Poster-678x1024.jpg 678w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Poster.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a mother (Joan Bennett) mistakenly believes that her teenage daughter (Geraldine Brooks) has killed her lover (Shepperd Strudwick), she hides the body in a &#8220;reckless moment&#8221; of panic. Soon, however, Bennett is approached by a blackmailer (James Mason) who demands $5,000 in exchange for letters connecting her daughter to the dead man .\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blackmail<\/li>\n<li>Hiding Dead Bodies<\/li>\n<li>James Mason Films<\/li>\n<li>Joan Bennett Films<\/li>\n<li>Max Ophuls Films<\/li>\n<li>Suffering Mothers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\n<em>The Reckless Moment<\/em> was Max Ophuls&#8217; fourth and final American film, and shows clear evidence of his distinctive style (note the classic Ophuls &#8220;sweeping shot&#8221; as Bennett ascends the staircase in her home). It&#8217;s a gritty, fast-moving thriller with effectively stark <em>noir<\/em> cinematography and good use of outdoor locales. Bennett (who, with her sunglasses on, looks for all the world like Myrna Loy):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett-Loy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett-Loy-1024x716.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"448\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett-Loy-1024x716.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett-Loy-300x210.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett-Loy-128x89.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett-Loy-768x537.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett-Loy-386x270.png 386w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett-Loy.png 1449w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; makes a strong lead, and it&#8217;s refreshing to see her playing a self-sufficient mother. The film&#8217;s primary problem lies in its script, which neglects to adequately explain the motivations behind Mason&#8217;s immediate infatuation with Bennett &#8212; he&#8217;s an intriguing character, and we want to know more about him. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Mason-Bennett.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Mason-Bennett-1024x733.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"458\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Mason-Bennett-1024x733.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Mason-Bennett-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Mason-Bennett-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Mason-Bennett-768x550.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Mason-Bennett-377x270.png 377w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Mason-Bennett.png 1437w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> <em>The Reckless Moment<\/em> gained renewed attention in 2001 when it was updated with Tilda Swinton in Bennett&#8217;s role, and renamed <em>The Deep End<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Joan Bennett as the determined mother<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett4-1024x718.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"449\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63634\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett4-1024x718.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett4-300x210.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett4-128x90.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett4-768x538.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett4-385x270.png 385w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Bennett4.png 1459w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Effectively atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography2-1024x734.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"459\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography2-1024x734.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography2-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography2-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography2-768x551.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography2-377x270.png 377w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography2.png 1449w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography-1024x735.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"459\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63635\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography-1024x735.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography-768x551.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography-376x270.png 376w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Cinematography.png 1451w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Good use of outdoor locales<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Outdoors.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Outdoors-1024x725.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"453\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-63637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Outdoors-1024x725.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Outdoors-300x212.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Outdoors-128x91.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Outdoors-768x543.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Outdoors-382x270.png 382w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/05\/Reckless-Moment-Outdoors.png 1457w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended. <\/p>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0041786\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1949\/12\/30\/archives\/reckless-moment-new-feature-at-the-palace-british-and-two-french.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/film\/76485.html\">Time Out Capsule Review (spoilers warning)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;These are letters which your daughter wrote to the late Ted Darby.&#8221; Synopsis: When a mother (Joan Bennett) mistakenly believes that her teenage daughter (Geraldine Brooks) has killed her lover (Shepperd Strudwick), she hides the body in a &#8220;reckless moment&#8221; of panic. Soon, however, Bennett is approached by a blackmailer (James Mason) who demands $5,000 in exchange for letters connecting her daughter to the dead man . Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Blackmail Hiding Dead Bodies James Mason Films Joan&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3233\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3233"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63640,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3233\/revisions\/63640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}