A Film a Day – Devil In A Blue Dress (1995)

I fancied watching a detective movie. Having never seen 1995’s Devil In A Blue Dress it seemed like a good fit. The fact it starred the always excellent Denzel Washington sealed the deal.

It’s 1948 and Los Angeles is booming, but Easy Rawlins (Denzel Washington) has seen better days. He has just been fired and his house payments are due, so when DeWitt Albright (Tom Sizemore) offers him a seemingly harmless job he jumps at the chance. All he has to do is track down the elusive Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals) a mysterious beauty known to keep company on the wrong side of town.

Last year I tried to watch at least one film a day. I failed. This year I am going to try again.

Should you choose to accompany me on this venture, I am writing regular updates, sharing the films I’ve watched and my thoughts on them. I am based in the UK, so I’ll note if certain films may not be available on streaming platforms in your region. Additionally, I’ll be referencing release dates from IMDB.com.

Follow my Film A Day hereEnough preamble – let’s dive straight into my most recent celluloid adventure.

---

Devil In A Blue Dress (1995)

• Director: Carl Franklin
• Writer: Carl Franklin, Walter Mosley
• Cast: Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, Don Cheadle
• Watched on Prime Video

This is a cracking thriller. If it’s not on your watchlist, track it down and watch it when you can. It drips with style and boasts stellar performances from a cast that’s a who’s who of character actors—you know their faces from countless films and TV shows, but their names often elude you.

Denzel Washington, as expected, delivers a fantastic performance, though that’s practically a given in any role he takes on. The film unfolds as a classic detective mystery, where the journey to the big reveal is the most satisfying part.

Meet Easy Rawlins, a hero in the war who, initially, isn’t a private detective but finds himself in the thick of it after getting laid off. With a mortgage to pay and a love for his house and neighbourhood (except for the tree-stealing guy), Easy crosses paths with Dewitt Albright. The latter hires him to track down a missing woman, setting the stage for a neo-noir tale that proves more challenging than Easy anticipated.

What follows is a captivating journey across Los Angeles, as Easy engages with bouncers, bartenders, mayoral candidates, criminals, and police, all the while dealing with harassment from homicide detectives and navigating encounters with racists and idiots. Amidst the chaos, Easy puts the pieces together to unravel the mystery of why everyone is after Daphne Monet. It’s a ride that keeps you on the edge, blending suspense, intrigue, and a touch of noir charm.

Tom Sizemore effortlessly channels his signature slimy psycho act in this one. As for Jennifer Beals, despite portraying the titular Devil in the Blue Dress, her role mainly revolves around providing exposition and serving as the catalyst for the unfolding events.

Enter Don Cheadle, making a late appearance as Mouse, Easy’s old friend, and let me tell you, he steals every scene he graces. Playing a high-energy character armed to the teeth, Mouse is all about helping Easy, even if that help often involves lots of gunfire. Cheadle’s portrayal injects a burst of dynamism into the movie, turning each of his appearances into memorable moments.

Denzel Washington and Jennifer Beals would reunite in The Book of Eli (2010), while Washington would share the screen once again with Don Cheadle in Flight (2012).

One fascinating aspect of the film is witnessing Easy Rawlins, portrayed by Washington, transform from an ordinary man into the unexpected role of a private detective. The evolution of his character adds depth to the narrative, and it’s regrettable that we never got to witness Denzel Washington continue this journey through a series of Easy Rawlins movies. The potential for further exploration of Easy’s life as a detective, as depicted in the books, remains an unfulfilled cinematic opportunity.

For those of you partaking in a daily film regimen, I encourage you to share your cinematic journey in the comments below. Let us exchange thoughts on the films we’ve watched—our impressions, delights, and perhaps the occasional disappointment.

Total Films Watched this year – 18

Happy viewing!

Previous PostNext Post