MILD SPOILERS

Bigelow is the quintessential “everyman” (everyperson). Sure, he was a jerk to his “girlfriend/love” and a bit of a pig – the empathy comes from the fact that no one deserves to be anonymously poisoned for seemingly (at first) no reason. I think this makes it a stronger film. It’d be boring/unrealistic if he was an attractive perfect paragon of a person.

Several scenes stand out as perfect film noir/cinematic moments.
Of course the best one is the opening scene where he walks into the SFPD and makes his dramatic announcement.
Secondly, the deliciously ironic/poignant reminders of what he would never have in his life walk past him while he stands in front of a row of LIFE magazines (the child he would never have, the happy couple he would never be part of).

I enjoyed the shots of San Francisco’s Embarcadero and (I assume) Market St. That was fun simply from a historical/sociological perspective.

Sure it’s not perfect. The whiny clingy woman was incredibly sexist & annoying. The Chester character was over played. Yes, the stupid “wolf whistles” were jarring and out of place.

Overall though, this is a fantastic film. Should definitely be considered the top of the film noir genre.

Miles ahead of the merely average non-noir remake w/ Dennis Quaid that turns it into a thriller. I suggest avoiding that!