Film Review: 'Detour'

Detour is a low budget film released in 1945 by director Edgar G. Ulmer. The film is based on the novel by Martin Goldsmith who also developed the screenplay for the film. Detour was filmed in 6 days on sets and in a car in front of a projection screen. Detour was a low-budget success story that despite its poor technical qualities excelled through story structure. Told in retrospect from the point of view of the main character, Al Roberts, the film takes a film noir approach to this man's seemingly normal life.

The strength of this film lies in the comparative story structure and plot. The film noir of this story lies in the fate of the protagonist, which through the first scene in the movie we realize is not an affirming destiny. Roberts is seemingly controlled by destiny to face the awful turn that his life takes based on his decision to visit his girlfriend Sue. By the end of the film, Roberts comes to the conclusion that his fate was inevitable and there was nothing he could have done to avoid what happened to him. The last narration of the film includes a line that says 'fate sticks out a leg to trip you

Detour proves that films can be made on a limited budget, in the film Haskell's Lincoln was actually said to have been Edgar Ulmer's personal vehicle. Not only can films be made on a small scale, but they can also be successful in their entity. Detour's strong and enticing story allows it to work despite technical difficulties of low budget filmmaking. The hook at the beginning of this film is no doubt the most vital aspect of the success of Detour. Without the reversal of the story structure, this film, among others such as Christopher Nolan's Memento would not function, especially not with limited funds. The hook grabs our attention at the beginning of the film, before we have a chance to judge it for its technical flaws. The moment we see the distressed character of Roberts enter the diner with clothing torn apart, the audience is compelled to know just what his story is. It isn't until halfway through the plot that we finally get some answers as to his foreboding condition. A strength of this film could be viewed as its length, instead of detracting from the story by leaving it extended over two hours, the film runs only 67 minutes. There is no extra pulp to fill in time; all that is shown is what is necessary to reveal the story, nothing more. The audience does not feel as though they wasted their time with this film, it is quick, concise and contains a strong message.

Through its pessimistic message of human fate, Detour speaks hope to independent film. Goldsmith brings a story of insecurity to the screen in a format that all low-budget filmmakers can learn from. Viewers are very difficult to please, and while many stories are good, not everyone is interested in them. Detour dangles bait in front of the audience and tempts them with a satisfying story. This should be a focal point of all filmmaking; unfortunately many films ride on the backs of filmmaker's and celebrities' reputations. Detour is a great achievement in the sense that it succeeded apart from outside help.