A Blueprint for Murder

Not too convoluted murder mystery with an enjoyable performance from Cotten. It mixes light fun with deep tension pretty well, and the pacing is just right. I only wish the conclusion was pulled off differently.

Is the death of young Polly an accident... or cold-blooded murder? It's up to her uncle (Joseph Cotten) to find out. Although the film maintains its "did she or didn't she?" mystery throughout, it feels surprisingly low-key, with almost no tension whatsoever. Cotten and Jean Peters are both fine, but have little to work with, and the movie as a whole is just very flat. Not terrible or anything, but definitely a case of missed potential.