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Review: Gilda - 1946

Story - A small-time gambler hired to work in a Buenos Aires casino discovers his employer's new wife is his former lover.

Cast - Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, George Macready

Crew - Charles Vidor (Director), E.A. Ellington (Writer), Jo Eisinger (Writer), Marion Parsonnet (Writer)

Runtime - 110 minutes

         
Gilda, Are You Decent?

I have rarely seen a movie from the 40s this unapologetically horny. Gilda is an amazing character, the best thing from the movie, played by Rita Hayworth, she is a woman capable of getting what she wants by using her attractiveness. Making strong eye contact with men, making them nervous and confusing them, is so amazing. I want to compare her to Marilyn Monroe but I have only seen 2 movies with her on it.

Taking place in Argentina after WW2, it depicts perhaps some oddly specific things about the country, first the Tungsten cartels from which Gilda's husband Ballin Mudson -played by George Macready- is involved. Johnny Farrell -played by Glenn Ford- is helping Balling run a Casino, and that's when she reconnects with Gilda, where she tries to make him jealous by flirting with other men even when he is not his husband but just an old flame.

At 110 minutes Gilda offers us a funny noir movie, with some sexual paranoia between a trio of characters full of personality and background. Gorgeous set design and an incredible wardrobe is exhibited in this film, especially Gilda's satin sheet dress, which is perhaps one of the most iconic dresses in movie history and one that takes the spotlight even from Gilda herself.

         

Final Score - 4/5

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