Another movie that I didn't know was directed by Howard Hawks. This was part of a a Bogart/Bacall DVD set I have that includes The Big Sleep. It is easy to draw comparisons to the two films since they both star Bogart and Bacall and was directed by Hawks. However, I think a better comparison is to Casablanca for its story and setting.
To Have and Have Not stars Bogie as an American living in the French island of Martinique. He makes it clear from the beginning that he is only in it for the money and could care less about the local politics which have grown increasingly violent. Like Rick Blaine from Casablanca, the more Harry "Steve" Morgan seems to resist taking sides, the more entrenched he becomes in the fight. It is a great story of the reluctant sort of anti-hero that Bogart excelled at playing. He tries to convince other people, and perhaps himself, that he is only doing the job for the money, but we know that isn't really true. I think Bogart really nails this role.
This film is perhaps more notable for featuring Lauren Bacall's debut performance at just age nineteen. A lot is said about Bogart and Bacall's chemistry in The Big Sleep, but I personally think their dynamic in this film is much stronger. Bacall's performance in this film is pretty remarkable for such a young actress. She displays a confidence and look to her character more befitting of actresses twice her age. Bogart and Bacall have great scenes together helped by some pretty snappy dialogue, perhaps the most famous line coming from Slim (Bacall): "You don't know how to act with me, Steve. You don't have to say anything, and you don't have to do anything. Not a thing. Oh, maybe just a whistle. You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and... blow."
When she kisses him:
Steve: What was that for?
Slim: I'd been wondering if I'd like it.
Steve: What's the decision?
Slim: I don't know yet. [They kiss again] It's even better when you help.
It's the kind of classic smooth talking romance you'd imagine from these kind of films.
The guy who plays Eddie, Walter Brennan, also starred in another Howard Hawks film, Rio Bravo, basically playing the exact same character. He is Steve's one good friend, but is mainly there for comic relief. He does a good job at it, but in some scenes he borders on being super annoying. It is interesting watching Steve deal with the two relationships of his life, Eddie and Slim, which reveal a great deal about his character.
I really enjoyed the film. It's an entertaining romance with memorable characters and performances, reminiscent of Casablanca. Something interesting I read about the film is that Howard Hawks made a sort of boast to his friend Ernest Hemingway that he could make a movie out of what the author considered his worst book, To Have and Have Not. It is a testament to his abilities as a director to make a compelling movie out of a bad book. Of course the movie is nothing like the book and by the end of all the rewrites they had very little in common. It just goes to show that directors shouldn't get all the credit. Screenplays go a long way too.
Grade: A-
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