I found *The Fugitive Kind* to be somewhat plodding; I did find elements to appreciate, however. Marlon Brando and Anna Magnani lead the film, and I ultimately accepted their connection by the story's end—which shifts abruptly into high gear! The finale itself is quite strong. However, what comes before felt like it drifted a bit too much for my taste. There were times when I was completely engaged with what was h…

Val’s weary of his existence, prompting him to hock a guitar—a cherished gift from blues legend Lead Belly. The film begins with Val in court facing an unimpressed judge, who lets him go after he pledges to leave town. His car breaks down during a storm, forcing him to push it toward the only lit building around: the local jail. There, he connects with the sheriff’s wife, a woman enduring abuse at the hands of her hu…