DETOUR

Cinemavixion Review

Edgar G. Ulmer's 'Detour' is a masterclass in low-budget filmmaking, a chilling descent into fatalism that remains potent decades after its 1945 release. The narrative, framed by a flashback from a guilt-ridden Al Roberts, charts a desperate journey from New York to Hollywood that spirals into a vortex of mistaken identity and inescapable doom. Tom Neal embodies Roberts with a compelling blend of vulnerability and moral compromise, while Ann Savage delivers a performance of icy, unforgettable malevolence as the blackmailer Vera. Ulmer's stark, expressionistic visuals and relentless pace amplify the sense of entrapment, creating a truly nightmarish atmosphere. Despite its modest origins, 'Detour' garnered significant critical acclaim, including a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, and has rightfully earned its place as a quintessential film noir. It's a haunting exploration of how circumstance and flawed choices can irrevocably alter a life's trajectory.