Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Billy Wilder never fails to make an engaging and surprising narrative. This time with a murder trial that is about as classic and clichéd as they come, with a wealthy lone woman being murdered and the main suspect is the guy who was set to inherit her fortune. But there is so much more to it than that, as the film both follows familiar patterns and make some wild turns that definitely fooled me more than once. Tyrone Power as the accused, but the two starts for me was Charles Laughton as the seasoned lawyer who is really quite the character. About to retire due to his health, but the thrill of the trial can’t keep him away. And of course Marlene Dietrich whom I first noticed in Rancho Notorious and she is equally impressive here as well. She commands every scene with a demand presence that is very unique for female film stars at the time. Without saying too much as everyone should really experience the ending without much prior knowledge, but I was amazed at how sure and comfortable the film made me of all the characters, only to completely shatter my expectations in the end.
Rating: 4