'B' Noir: Detour

Detour seems to be a perverse moral tale. It doesn’t teach that one should act responsibly, it shows that regardless of one’s intent, the worst possible outcome will undoubtedly be the result.

Al Roberts (Tom Neal) is just looking for a ride when he’s picked up by flamboyant gambler, Charles Haskell. While Roberts takes a turn driving the convertible, it begins to rain, necessitating a stop to put the roof up. Soon Roberts discovers that his companion is dead. Unfortunately, this isn’t the last bit of bad luck for the hitch hiker.

In a poor show of judgment and deepening disconnect with right and wrong, Roberts assumes Haskell’s identity and makes the decision to give a lift to a female hitch hiker. Since the film, thus far, has been devoid of a femme fatale, this is where Vera (Ann Savage) comes in.

She recognizes the car and makes the assumption that Roberts has killed Haskell. She then uses this information to blackmail Roberts and attempts to sell Haskell’s pricey car.

Eventually, in a continuation of his sheer bad luck, Roberts accidentally strangles Vera with a telephone wire (it is actually an accident regardless of how it sounds). Compounding his frustration, Roberts high tails it out of the city in an attempt to escape justice. However, the final scene shows that even in film, those who commit illegal acts will be punished.

This final scene, replete with voice over, finds Roberts expecting to be arrested for something – not necessarily his crimes – eventually. And he is. He gets into a police car and is ferried off as the film comes to an end.

The low production value and scant cast of characters really doesn’t enter one’s mind while watching Detour. Seeing the interaction of Savage and Neal is more than enough to center one’s attention and distract from the pairs shabby digs.