Rent Tony Rome (1967)

Sleazy - Tony Rome review by sb

FILM & REVIEW The mid 60’s saw brief Noir revival with films like Point Blank and Harper and this fits in nicely. Sinatra plays the world weary, laconic Private Eye who to avoid a scandal is called to a local Miami hotel to take care of a girl who is passed out on booze. She is Diana (Lyons) the daughter of Rudy Kostermann a property developer and major player in town. Diane was wearing an expensive diamond pin which now missing and some local hoods are hired as they suspect Rome has it. He denies all knowledge and then is hired by Kostermann to find it and hush everything up. This brings Rome into the orbit of Rita - Kostermann’ wife ( a terrific Rowlands) he seems to know far more than she is letting on. He also hooks up with a good time girl (Jill St John) who also seems connected and Rome is soon up to his ears in fake jewellery, strippers, drug dealers , hoodlums and blackmail. He does this while staying one step ahead of the local cop (Conte). It’s very good at showing the sleazy underbelly of Miami and Sinatra is all always very good in the lead. The plot can be a little over conveluted at times with just too many red herrings but it ticks all the requisite boxes for a Noir - 4/5