#4, M

The film that established the precedent of what would eventually become film noir. Without M, there never would have been any Maltese Falcon or The Third Man. M is refreshing in that it was created long before the tired old cliches of film noir became tired old cliches. The characters, the story, the tone, the build-up, and the climax, all of these are absolutely stellar in this masterpiece. Though it was the first film Fritz Lang ever made in sound, one would never know it when watching M. Everything falls into place perfectly, from Peter Lorre's character's eery whistling Hall of the Mountain King, to Fritz Lang's imposing aesthetic, and the depth of the even the supporting characters in the film.

Peter Lorre's performance in the film, also, predates Peter Lorre himself becoming a tired old cliche, and he is marvelous. His nervous, erratic, and yet understated personality comes across beautifully, and his final monologue establishes him as a truly complex and intricate villain, driven insane by his actions, and yet unable to stop them. The film is a perfect exploration of morality and the social dynamics of the darker side of culture. One of my personal favorites.

Highlights: Stunning visuals, storytelling, and characters. A touching and disturbing performance by Peter Lorre. Flawless on every level.

Downers: Um. It's in German?

10/10