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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. It Had to Happen remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school political dramas that don't take themselves too seriously, you'll probably enjoy this. If you need a perfectly ironed plot without any narrative wrinkles, you might want to look elsewhere.
It’s the kind of flick that feels like it was written on a napkin during lunch, and honestly, that’s part of the charm. It moves fast, sometimes too fast, like it’s worried you’re going to get up and leave.
George Raft is playing the guy who just wants to make it big. He’s got that specific kind of cool where he looks like he’s hiding a secret even when he’s just eating a sandwich. Watching him navigate the political scene is... entertaining, to say the least. He’s surrounded by people who are clearly smarter than him, but he’s got the grit.
There's a scene near the middle where he has to cover for a banker who skipped town, and the panic in his eyes feels real. It isn't 'Oscar-winning' acting, but it works. He doesn't need to say much; the way he adjusts his tie tells you he’s sweating it.
It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Fast Life, though this one has a slightly different political bite. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got a pulse.
The movie hits a wall about three-quarters of the way through. It suddenly gets very concerned with explaining its own plot, which is never a good sign. Seriously, the dialogue starts feeling a bit like a lecture. But then it recovers just enough to finish the job.
It’s a scrappy little film. 🍿 Not everything lands, but I’m glad I watched it instead of something more 'prestigious' and boring. Sometimes, you just want to see a guy try to beat the system and nearly get flattened by it.
