Beloved by the New Wave, Nicholas Ray possessed that rare director's talent of making every story, however stale, entirely engrossing. He invigorates standard turnaround tale Party Girl with visual flair and inspired performances from studio stud Robert Taylor and dancing queen Cyd Charisse. Taylor plays the Prohibition-era mob lawyer who wants out after meeting Charisse's sensuous showgirl, while gang leader Lee J. Cobb shreds scenery and says he's not having it. Ray varies his expressionistic palette and keeps the narrative tight throughout the will-they-or-won't-they proceedings.