Review of Whirlpool

After shoplifting an expensive pin in a department store, the wife of the prominent psychoanalyst Dr. William Sutton (Richard Conte), Ann Sutton (Gene Tierney), is arrested by one of the security guards. The swindler astrologer and hypnotist David Korvo (José Ferrer) recognizes the woman and convinces the manager to release her. Later, David calls Ann and asks her to meet him in his hotel, and he proposes to treat her kleptomania through hypnosis. Ann accepts the offer, but Davis uses Ann to get rid of Theresa Randolph (Barbara O'Neil), a widow that had stolen the heritage of her daughter. When Theresa is found dead, Ann is accused of murder by the skeptical Lt. James Colton (Charles Bickford), but she has no recollections of what happened in that specific night. Meanwhile David has a strong alibi to support his innocence.

"Whirlpool" has a story very hard to believe. The idea of so powerful suggestion of hypnosis is beyond any credibility, and the famous psychoanalyst is at least incompetent, not detecting the problem with his own wife. José Ferrer is great in the role of a cynical villain, but his last act is so stupid that spoils the Machiavellism of his character. Gene Tierney is awful, with an insane, excessively dramatic and silly behavior even when she is not hypnotized. The character of Tom Conte is unpleasant, with his tough attitudes. The conclusion is really terrible. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "A Ladra" ("The Thief")