How far would you go for love or money? Criss Cross is a noir tragedy that has this question in mind, starring Burt Lancaster as a shlub who gets in way over his head when he means to betray the armored car company he works for so he can be with his fatale ex-wife. We start in the middle of things and the mystery of the situation is told through an anxious flashback before the action picks up from an even more anxious present again. Though Lancaster is of course quite good, and Robert Siodmak's direction is full of subtle and interesting tricks, what makes it come alive is that attention has been paid to every character, down to the bit parts. The bartender who will hold it against you if he gets raided. Alan "Alfred" Napier as the master planner who only allows himself a drink once the work is done. The goon who talks in nervous tics. The creepy man in the hospital who may or may not be there to kill our man. And more besides. In terms of story, Criss Cross takes absolutely no prisoners, except maybe its audience.

great noir!

See if you can spot young Tony Curtis as a dancer in the club, which imdb credits as a gigolo for some reason.