A Life in the Balance (1955)

recommended

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Despite being a contract player for the top studio of the day, MGM, Ricardo Montalban was apparently not happy about the sorts of roles Hispanic actors got in Hollywood...hence he later started a non- profit ("Nosotros") to encourage Spanish-speaking actors and Hispanic themes in films. So I am pretty sure he was thrilled with a chance to star in "A Life in the Balance", as he was able to play a Mexican man and the film is set in Mexico City!When the film begins, it's very apparent that Antonio (Montalban) loves his son, Paco, very much. But he's lost his job and they barely make ends meet. Additionally, the boy often is on his own while his father is working. There is a lot of pressure on Antonio to let the neighbors raise the boy...but he won't consider it.Despite losing his job, Antonio pretends that he does have work and tries hard to convince the boy that everything is fine. In fact, he even promises to buy his son a guitar! But when Antonio goes to an old girlfriend to get some money she owes him, they argue a bit. Later, after he's gone, a serial killer (Lee Marvin) murders her and folks assume Antonio did it! To make things worse, Paco saw the murder and the maniac has captured him. What's next? See the film.I liked this film and was very prepared to give it a score of 7. However, at the very end, the characters all started talking and philosophizing...and it all came off as unnecessary and preachy. This was clearly a case where the film was finished...but they kept filming and talking! Still, despite this, the movie's pretty good viewing...and must have made Montalban happy because he was able to get back to his roots.

A Life in the Balance: even the name bespeaks noir. So, not surprisingly, destiny has a nasty shock in store for out-of-work widower Montalban, who is struggling to make a secure home for his motherless little boy. Neighbors are threatening a custody action, and a smitten ex-lover is resisting repayment of a large loan. And then father and son fall beneath the sinister shadow of maniacal psychopath Lee Marvin. Unware of the terrible turn of events, Montalban bounds fatefully into the Mexico City night. In a pawn shop, he meets Anne Bancroft, a prim, down-on-her-luck lady who is bereft of either street smarts or employment. As the two sally forth into the lights and activity of a holiday festival, his son is in the midst of a far different and dangerous pursuit on dark, deserted streets. Montalban looks sensational, but he is, after all, playing an everyman and conducts his characterization accordingly. Bancroft, though attractive, is unglamorously so and is most appealing in her emotional and intellectual reactions to Montalban. Their relationship, though expeditiously developed, seems deeper and more credible than many seen in classic movies. The plot spins out smoothly, and the settings are well suited to the story. As well as obscure avenues and alleyways, crowded tenement, and typical hock shop, a police station and cavernous cathedral enhance the somber mood. It all makes for a somewhat soft-soaped, somewhat predictable, but nonetheless interesting bit of noir.

I saw this film today and have to say that it was magnificent! I am responding here to earlier reviewers that obviously don't know what they are talking about. One reviewer from Canada states "El Stinko Noir!" well he obviously has no film taste! In an early film role for Ricardo Montalban he plays an out of work man in Mexico who smashed a music machine for printing out terrible music His son Paco seems to get around and finds "The Killer" played by Lee Marvin. Lee Marvin in this film hardly seems like a menacing or insane killer, but seems to have tendencies of insane behavior.Anne Bancroft has never been lovelier, and seems to have a pedestrian role. For those who like Mexican cinema if you liked "Sombrero" you will love this film (*** out of ****) PS: This is not a film noir and anyone who thinks so is an idiot!!

Having acted alongside Spencer Tracy in 'Bad Day at Black Rock', Lee Marvin continued to go unnoticed in supporting roles such as in this film. In fact, he could pass for a Mexican because there was that ethnic strain to his demeanor.