An attempt by Welles to create a popular film, this combined his two biggest successes to date: Citizen Kane and The Third Man. It shows off his talent but isn’t very good. The story doesn’t get going til 34 minutes in, the unlikeable (worse: uncompelling) hero, Robert Arden makes you long for Joseph Cotten or even William Aalland (though Arden isn’t helped by his character – Holly Rollins was a genuine innocent trying to help a friend; Michael in Lady from Shanghai does his dopey acts for love; Arden plays an obnoxious prat like a corrupt cop in a detective film). Paolo Mori lacks the enigmatic beauty required for her role; Patricia Medina isn’t really up to the part of Arden’s girlfriend (she and Arden whiff of 50s Universal pictures).
It’s not an interesting story – Arkiadin’s secret is a bit dull – and a lot of it doesn’t make sense: why does Arkadin go to all this trouble? It’s a shame Welles couldn’t have played the lead, although he was also well suited to play Arkadin. Or so you’d think – but he has a silly beard and accent and gives a terrible performance.
But there are some good things – I enjoyed the camera angles and some of the supporting cast (esp Gert Frobe, Michael Redgrave, Peter Van Eyck), memorable “bits” (eg flea circus, he drug addict on the boat, the old Mexican general and his wife). This would be Welles’ least enjoyable film, but like everything he made it’s worth watching.
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