It felt like everyone was trying to pull one over on me. Devil in a Blue Dress, penned by and directed by Carl Franklin, is based on Walter Mosley’s novel. The cast includes Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, Don Cheadle, and Maury Chaykin. Elmer Bernstein composed the music, and Tak Fujimoto handled the cinematography. Franklin had already established himself with his intense 1992 thriller One False Move, and here he adopts a more conventional approach while still achieving remarkable results. The story follows Washington as a World War II veteran struggling to keep his house after losing his job. Accepting a task from the questionable DeWitt Albright (Sizemore) to locate a missing woman, Rawlings quickly becomes embroiled in murder and lies, needing to become a skilled detective to protect himself. The film is set in late 1940s Los Angeles, and the attention to period detail immediately impresses; the clothing, vehicles, and locations frequented by Easy and his associates are all authentic. Washington also provides narration with a detached and wry tone, creating a clear tribute to the noir films from that era. The movie features neon signs, tough police officers, appealing romantic encounters, brandy, stylish suits, smoking, and an undeniable sense of coolness—along with a classic-style psychopath (Cheadle delivers a strong performance). However, even well-executed noir elements fall short without a compelling plot, which this film fortunately possesses. The narrative takes surprising directions, consistently holding the viewer’s interest, and the memorable characters overcome typical stereotypes in the supporting roles. It could be said that Beals' portrayal of the woman named in the title might lack depth, but her character’s aura of mystery effectively contributes to Franklin’s overall atmosphere. The technical aspects are excellent, as expected with Bernstein and Fujimoto involved, while Washington provides another performance marked by subtlety and realism. Fans of film noir will likely find Devil in a Blue Dress very satisfying. 7.5/10

Source on TMDB