The film's
complex flashback structure is skilfully handled by Ramsey, deviating from the diary form of Lionel Shriver's original novel to concentrate on Kevin's warped, psycho - sexual duelling with his mother, played out in some remarkable and, sometimes, uncomfortable scenes.
This post-Casablanca re-teaming of Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet and director Curtiz, has Bogie as a French patriot, Michele Morgan («Port of Shadows») as his love, and a
complex flashbacks - within -
flashbacks story
structure that carries him to Devil's Island and back.