Two-Movie Tuesday: Touch of Evil Does Not Exist

Will you be able to recognize evil when it comes to town?

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Touch of Evil (1958)

Brilliant cinematography and editing, from the opening 3 minute take (and many other mesmerizing tracking shots to follow) to the ingenious overlapping of scenes (a character in the background of one becomes the focus of the next) to the stark use of shadow and light. It’s got a solid noir plot, too, with a unique focus on the cops, not the crime, though here a white-washed lead role, a cringe-y damsel-in-distress, and some questionable performances from the supporting cast mar things a bit.

7

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Evil Does Not Exist (2023)

To begin, the end: it felt out of left (snowy) field, and though subtle foreshadows appear in hindsight, they don’t make it any less of a shot to the gut: evil does exist, as much as the film so beautifully baited us into imagining that it doesn’t, what with its peaceful and patient depictions of life in nature and its humanizing and humourous conversations through seemingly mild conflicts. Wonderful camerawork, turns, and music take us through both the trees and the forest we couldn’t see.

9

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Here’s to the existence of good in small touches and big gestures alike.