When wealthy Ballin Mundson (George Macready) rescues down at his heels
gambler Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford) and invites him to the Buenos Aires
casino he owns, both men get more than they wagered on. Farrell
convinces Mundson to hire him as casino manager, but is shocked when
Mundson introduces his new bride, and Farrell's old flame, Gilda (Rita
Hayworth).Though Farrell is unwavering in his loyalty to his employer,
and he and Gilda treat each other with contempt, Mundson realizes that
the torch
never died for either of
the former lovers. Ordered to guard Gilda, Farrell tries to convince
himself that he's protecting Mundson's interests, but Gilda sees through
his self-deception. Meanwhile, Mundson reveals to Farrell that his
primary business is control of an international tungsten cartel that he
plans to use to further his fascist ends.
With the police closing in on
the cartel, Mundson fakes his death, apparently leaving Gilda and
Farrell free to marry. They do so: Gilda for love, but Farrell to punish
her for being unfaithful to Mundson. When Mundson returns to kill them,
it is he who dies, thereby freeing the lovers to apologize to each
other and return to the U.S. Charles Vidor's Gilda is a voyeuristic film
noir treat that engages the viewer in a complex web of sado-masochistic
triangles. When, for example, Gilda performs her signature number, "Put
the Blame on Mame," she is not simply enraging both Mundson and Farrell
with her open sexuality, she is also crying out in pain for the love
she is being denied. ~ Steve Press, Rovi
