A Kiss Before Dying, directed by Gerd Oswald and brought to the screen by Lawrence Roman from Ira Levin’s novel, features Robert Wagner, Joanne Woodward, Virginia Leith, Jeffrey Hunter, and Mary Astor. This CinemaScope/De Luxe Color production has a score by Lionel Newman and cinematography by Lucien Ballard. The story centers on Wagner as a charming young man willing to kill for financial gain. The narrative unfolds smoothly as Bud Corlis (Wagner) and Dorothy Kingship (Woodward) interact; he is calculating and aloof, while she’s infatuated and trusting, both delivering noteworthy performances. What gives the film its tension is knowing Bud's intentions, while Dorothy remains unaware—and when a crucial scene arrives, it's genuinely shocking and raises anticipation considerably. However, the latter portion of the movie doesn’t quite fulfill the potential established earlier, as the emphasis changes to an investigation by Dorothy’s sister, Ellen (Leith), who questions the official explanation regarding her sister’s death. The execution is adequate, but the feeling of dread diminishes, replaced by a fairly standard murder mystery. Wagner and Woodward are strong in their roles; Leith's performance isn't as memorable, while Hunter, portraying a pipe-smoking professor, feels ill-suited for the part, and Astor’s role is limited. Oswald’s direction is serviceable, incorporating some extended shots and subtle visual gags that become clear later on. Ballard’s widescreen photography is striking, successfully conveying an atmosphere of menace even within vibrant cityscapes, and Newman's music reflects the film noir genre. The movie explores provocative and engaging ideas, although more attention could have been paid to the suggestion that Bud is a veteran struggling with past experiences. It falls short of its full potential; the later scenes weaken the overall impact, but it remains an enjoyable noir thriller worth seeing. 7/10

Source on TMDB