Basically, this is Gilda II, putting Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford in a similar situation, and even if they are playing different characters, do you know that there is a great deal of suspicion, mistrust and passion between them. That does make for an interesting film noir, but this doesn't have the pacing or class or tight script. What it lacks in that, it makes up in it's interesting performances, with characters also sorted and shady and for one, an eternal state of intoxication.

Down in Trinidad, Rita Hayworth's husband has been murdered, and when his brother, Glenn Ford, shows up, instant suspicion is cast on her with side eyes to the other sort of characters surrounding her. These individuals include the grasping power magnate Alexander Scourby, the wimpy George Voskovec, his grasping alcoholic wife Valerie Bettis and the sinister looking Steven Geray. the passion between Haworth and Ford goes from instant just trust to a heated kiss to a sudden slap across the face from Ford because of insinuations made against her.

Although the writers get the characterizations right, the details of the story are often convoluted and messy, disappointing considering the positive aspects of this film noir. the direction of Vincent Sherman is fine, and the art Direction and photography are fantastic as well. Hayworth gets to sing a couple of songs but they do not match the heat of "Put the Blame on Mame" from "Gilda". Wild Haworth certainly gets the looks and whistles for her beauty and seductiveness, it is Valerie Bettis who gets the best lines, and she delivers each one with delicious venom. Scourby is excellent as well. It's only a slight disappointment that will keep you glued but is missing that one ingredient to make it a real gem.

In 1946, Columbia Pictures had a huge hit on its hands with "Gilda". Now, six years later, the studio has reunited its stars, Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth, for a similar sort of film. However, despite the similarities of the plot, this one just doesn't measure up and is a mostly tepid film that could have used a much better script.

The film begins with the death of Rita's husband. Oddly, she never seemed all too broken up because of this and when the police ask her to 'dig around', she agrees to hang out with an unsavory friend who probably was responsible for the man's death (which was incorrectly ruled a suicide). Now think about it...the police asking her to walk into a dangerous place AND involve herself in an illegal search! However, the dead husband's brother (Ford) blunders in and mostly spends his time overacting--either screaming at Rita and blaming her for the death OR begging her pardon and apologizing for the outburst--followed by making out with her! Frankly, none of this made a lot of sense. And so, by the time the film was over, I was annoyed--annoyed because the romance made no sense at all (what was the motivation AND didn't Rita's husband just die!?). In addition, the whole thing came off as a bit talky and dull. A disappointment, that's for sure.

AFFAIR IN TRINIDAD is a film noir enterprise that's more adequate than electrifying. Glenn Ford was so good in THE BIG HEAT the following year but his heart doesn't seem to be in this one and his performance is quite boring. The exotic setting adds a bit of local colour in the musical sequences and the star of the show is undoubtedly Rita Hayworth, thoroughly alluring in the classic femme fatale mould. However, the plot feels more than a little sluggish - particularly during the very slow mid section - although a delightfully slimy villain makes up for that a little, and the ending is a hoot.