Marlowe

Noir films are typically produced in a 'clean' element showcasing fine writing, directing, acting, photography, costumes, production design and even editing. As with the case of "Marlowe", we have all these attributes and then some. Not only do I like films shot a in a film noir style, but most of them are typically whodunits--this being of no exception.

This gripping noir crime thriller set in the late 1930's Bay City, California, centers around a brooding, down on his luck detective: Philip Marlowe (Liam Neeson), who is hired to find the ex-lover, Nico Peterson (Francois Arnaud) of a glamorous heiress Clare Cavendish (Diane Kruger), daughter of a well-known movie star Dorothy Quincannon (Jessica Lange). The disappearance is the first twist in a series of bewildering events, and soon Marlowe is embroiled in a deadly investigation and web of lies that he's determined to bring to light. 

Others to round out the cast are Ian Hart as Joe Green, Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje as Cedric, Alan Cumming as Lou Hendricks, Danny Huston as Floyd Hanson, Colm Meaney as Detective Bernie Ohls and Daniela Melchor as Lynn Peterson, sister of Nico.

This was directed with such style and finesse by veteran Neil Jordan ("Angel" '82, "The Company of Wolves" '84,"Mona Lisa" '86, "High Spirits" '88, "We're No Angels" '89, "The Miracle" '91, "The Crying Game" '92, "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" '94, "Michael Collins" '96, "The Butcher Boy" '97, "In Dreams" '99, "The End of the Affair" '99, "The Good Thief" '02, "Breakfast on Pluto" '05, "The Brave One" '07, "Byzantium" '12, "Greta" '18) plus a TV movie, TV, a video, a music video and a short. This filmmaker certainly knows what it takes to produce a well-honed film project. His ability to collaborate with his cinematographer and editor simply show in this film. The nuances of each character's emotion was incredibly realistic for the period. The writing was well penned by William Monahan ("Kingdom of Heaven" '05, "The Departed" '06, "Body of Lies" '08, "Edge of Darkness" '10, "London Boulevard" '10, "The Gambler" '14, "Mojave" '15, "The Tender Bar" '21) and Neil Jordan ("High Spirits" '88, "The Miracle" '91, "The Crying Game" '92, "Michael Collins" '96, "The Butcher Boy" '97, "In Dreams" '99, "The End of the Affair" '99, "The Good Thief" '02, "The Actors" (story) '03, "Breakfast on Pluto" '05, "Ondine" '09, "Greta" '18) plus TV, based on the book "The Black-Eyed Blonde" by John Banville, which is based on characters created by Raymond Chandler. Obviously these two writers have quite the resume between them and this film showcases this experience in spades. It was cohesive, tight, well played out and certainly kept its audience's attention all the while entertaining us in an extremely artful way. Really, other than a couple of very small places of continuity issues, this script rocked! The numerous twist were captivating and I was just wanting for more.

The one adage that kept going through my head while viewing this was, "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive". With the exception of Marlowe, these characters, with all the money and notoriety, were so prone to issues galore, and these actors pulled it off convincingly. If you like a whodunit,, film noir thriller, you will like this. It had it all: adventure, intrigue, drama, all in a thrill ride that will entertain. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                           Rated: R                                              109mins.