Some Came Running
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Year Released: 1958
Rating: 2.0
Lengthy adaptation of the James Jones novel can't generate an array of characters compelling enough to warrant the leaden pacing and absence of a plot, leading to a rather morose look at post-War relationships. Sinatra's ex-G.I. is something of an anti-hero, his sullenness, irritability and rough tactics with women keep him from being inherently likeable; for all the wisdom he's acquired from his service, it became difficult for me to want him to succeed in any way (I don't blame his key love-interest, a schoolteacher, from wanting to stay away from him). When Jones (and Minnelli) realize that the story is going to go nowhere, they add a dose of melodrama in the last twenty minutes, making sure to kick around prostitute/simpleton Shirley McLaine enough times for the garish ending sequence to count for something.
