Frequently compared with Huston's "The Maltese Falcon" as one of the classics of the private eye genre, "The Big Sleep" is, in many ways, far removed from the former film
Where on the contrary "The Maltese Falcon" has a basically simple plot about the hunt for a priceless statuette, "The Big Sleep" has probably the most complicated story ever filmed
And, more important, where Hammett's Sam Spade was uncompromising, mercenary and a winner, Raymond Chandlers Philip Marlowe was a frequent sufferer at the hands of cops and hoods and in many ways a loser
"The Big Sleep" almost defies plot analysis Just about the only part of the film that is straightforward is the opening sequence when Marlowe undertakes a job of investigation for a crippled millionaire whose daughter is being blackmailed Afterwards it fills up with such a vast assortment of shadowy characters whores, pimps, killers, gamblers, a dope hooked deb who sucks her thumb it is almost impossible to follow Nevertheless let me mention that Bogart was hired ostensibly to track down a blackmailer, but quickly finds himself immersed in murder, and harmonized double-crosses
The film has speed, efficiency and magnificent craftsmanship, it has wit and the acting, needless to say, is of the quality one expects from a Warner's movie of the Forties Bogart witnesses Bob Steele smilingly giving Elisha Cook, Jr., a poisoned glass of water, all the while assuring him that he has nothing to fear; and Bogart's coldly calculated shootout with Steele later in the film Bacall moves stealthily in fear or shame, Martha Vickers expresses displeasure, resentment, and bad humor, chief heavy John Ridgeley shows anger and Elisha Cook Jr. is furtive
If the magic, whether it was entirely calculated in advance or not, lies in the absolute congruence of the Marlowe character with Bogart's screen personality, it nevertheless was an important contribution to the Bogart mystique and is usually paired with "The Maltese Falcon" when reissued
This was the film in which Bogart became Marlowe for all time... It was the only time he played Marlowe, but it stuck Bogart as Marlowe is a rock of logic in a carousel of shady characters with clear psychological motivations for only partially explained actions...
When it first appeared, "The Big Sleep" was attacked in some quarters for violence and amorality but beneath its cynicism and toughness there breathed a heart and sentimentality which he1p to make it timeless
"The Big Sleep" almost defies plot analysis Just about the only part of the film that is straightforward is the opening sequence when Marlowe undertakes a job of investigation for a crippled millionaire whose daughter is being blackmailed Afterwards it fills up with such a vast assortment of shadowy characters whores, pimps, killers, gamblers, a dope hooked deb who sucks her thumb it is almost impossible to follow Nevertheless let me mention that Bogart was hired ostensibly to track down a blackmailer, but quickly finds himself immersed in murder, and harmonized double-crosses
The film has speed, efficiency and magnificent craftsmanship, it has wit and the acting, needless to say, is of the quality one expects from a Warner's movie of the Forties Bogart witnesses Bob Steele smilingly giving Elisha Cook, Jr., a poisoned glass of water, all the while assuring him that he has nothing to fear; and Bogart's coldly calculated shootout with Steele later in the film Bacall moves stealthily in fear or shame, Martha Vickers expresses displeasure, resentment, and bad humor, chief heavy John Ridgeley shows anger and Elisha Cook Jr. is furtive
If the magic, whether it was entirely calculated in advance or not, lies in the absolute congruence of the Marlowe character with Bogart's screen personality, it nevertheless was an important contribution to the Bogart mystique and is usually paired with "The Maltese Falcon" when reissued
This was the film in which Bogart became Marlowe for all time... It was the only time he played Marlowe, but it stuck Bogart as Marlowe is a rock of logic in a carousel of shady characters with clear psychological motivations for only partially explained actions...
When it first appeared, "The Big Sleep" was attacked in some quarters for violence and amorality but beneath its cynicism and toughness there breathed a heart and sentimentality which he1p to make it timeless