Nobody Lives Forever

Some pretty good casting here. The plot isn't all that original or surprising, but it's a solid tale of redemption. With one exception: Garfield's epiphany at Capistrano is a little too pat. There's also some tonal issues where Negulesco tries and fails to lighten things up with a few misplaced gags and a far too jaunty score. But got a stellar climax and it's not a bad way to get your noir fix. Chiselers and con men, greed and desperation, seedy backrooms, foggy piers and a nasty femme fatale.

good story and good actors, but nothing in there to put it above average

Captivates and keeps its tension throughout. Some nice subtle touches by Negulesco enrich the stringhtforward narrative.

Nobody Lives Forever (1946) starts strong establishing John Garfield and his motives. The romance heist was a bit underwhelming. They certainly could have made it more intriguing, but you can trust Garfield and the selected cast to make things entertaining enough to not end up disappointed.

This is my favorite of Negulesco's Noir films so far. Garfield is charismatic as the con-man, Fitzgerald is lovely as the widow and total opposite of her role in director's earlier "Three strangers". Brennan who I feel is usually overacting in his western roles - is very good and sympathetic here and the rest of the cast gives good support. The script is solid and keeps on providing some nice surprises; sadly it runs slightly out of steam and closes with a run-of-the-mill finish.

Garfield is made for this noir romantic role, balancing a dangerous and jaded edge with a sympathetic character. Fitzgerald doesn't have nearly as much to do opposite to him, but she shines where it counts, as does the supporting cast of scumbag associates.