The Reckless Moment

Plot

While her husband is away on business, Lucia finds the body of Darby, a slimy Los Angeles criminal, outside her house. Darby, who had been blackmailing her over his relationship with her 17 year old daughter Bea, died accidentally in a struggle with Bea. Lucia hides the body in a swamp, where it is found by the police.

Another LA criminal, handsome and smooth-talking Donnelly, then starts blackmailing Lucia over letters Bea had written to Darby. As she tries to get together the 5,000 dollars he demands, he starts falling in love with her and allows her more time. His brutal partner Nagel steps in, calling at Lucia's house to demand the money on the spot. Donnelly arrives and In a struggle Nagel is killed. The wounded Donnelly drives the body away with Lucia in pursuit, but overturns the car. As he lies dying, he gives Bea's letters to Lucia and tells her the matter is closed.

Cast

Background

This was Mason's third U.S. film, after having appeared in director Ophüls in Caught (released February 1949) then in Vincente Minnelli's Madame Bovary (released August 1949).

Box-office

The film made a loss of $565,775.

Critical response

When the film was first released in 1949, the film critic for The New York Times, Bosley Crowther, praised the actors but wrote, "But it isn't all right with this picture. Although it is rather well staged, with credible location settings in Balboa and Los Angeles, it is a feeble and listless drama with a shamelessly callous attitude. The heroine gets away with folly, but we don't think this picture will."

In the recent years, however, the film has received very positive appraisal and is now generally considered as one of the best films by Max Ophüls. It has been highly regarded by film critics, historians and audience, and entered in the list of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.