Born to Be Bad

Directed by Nicholas Ray, Born to Be Bad follows Joan Fontaine’s Christabel as she schemes her way into marriage with Zachary Scott’s wealthy Curtis. It’s seemingly foolproof subject matter that’s employed to relentlessly erratic effect by Ray, as the filmmaker, armed with a script by Edith Sommer, delivers a hit-and-miss endeavor that fares especially poorly within its meandering, uninvolving opening half hour – with the movie’s arms-length atmosphere heightened by a slow-paced, stagnant narrative and initial absence of compelling characters. There’s little doubt, then, that Born to Be Bad benefits from Fontaine’s progressively compelling turn as the often mesmerizingly conniving central character, and it’s clear, as well, that the movie’s growing reliance on trashy plot developments plays a key role in perpetuating the watchable vibe – which, when coupled with a satisfying closing stretch, ultimately cements the picture’s place as a decent-enough endeavor that feels like it should be so much better (and more memorable).

**1/2 out of ****