Too much of everything

not as good as all the hype

best movie i've ever seen.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

Miserable 1969 film based on the Raymond Chandler novel. Total confusing and often quite annoying would best describe this train wreck of a picture.We go from ice pick murders to two sisters reporting their brother missing to all other sorts of mayhem.There is absolutely no cohesion in this film. What was the role of that shady, lunatic doctor?James Garner gets absolutely no support from the dreadful writing.Carroll O'Connor gives an interesting performance as a chief police officer who is quite cynical when it comes to people in general.

Here is a talented cast of mostly TV people and a good Chandler Novel, The Sister's sort of out of place in the 1969 era of movies. People did not go to the theater to see this one. Bruce Lee's first screen role is basically the same as the film, both jump off the building together.I think the problem is the MGM film is so short that it does not have time to really put the novel into the script and create a true noir film. Garner's Marlowe would be okay if it had some more time to develop plot. This film comes off a 1960's assembly line of films that had plenty of recalls and only a few great films. There are small things about it to like. I mean fans of Ganer, Moreno, and O'Connor should be happy to see them in this and even Lee does get a few lines that are decent in a way too short role.What is interesting is the ending. It's like have a shooting and suicide at a strip club which is only vaguely referred to in the film, get the shooting over. Then have Marlowe (Garner) who barely gets out of the way of the shooting, leave in his car.It's almost like MGM just wanted out of the film, and just ended it abruptly.

Mostly Forgotten, and Maybe not Deservedly so, if Remembered at all this is Sighted as the Film Debut of Bruce Lee. His Brief Scenes are Memorable, but hardly Justifies the Only Reason to check out this Modern Incarnation of Raymond Chandler's 1940's Detective, Philip Marlowe.But Wait, this is 1969, not only when the Movie was made but the Setting. Does it Work? Somewhat, but Truth Be Told, not only Chandler and Marlowe Aficionados will most likely Agree that the Quintessential Gumshoe, does belong where and when He was Created. That being the Los Angeles of the 1940's.But that is not what this is and We have to go with it or not. See how much better it worked in Period with Farewell My Lovely (1972) with Robert Mitchum. James Garner is well Cast as the incorruptible Private Investigator, and there is an Assortment of Engaging Support with Rita Moreno as a Stripper getting most of the Ink (not counting the aforementioned Mr.Lee).So in the End it is a good Tribute that has just Enough of the Sensibilities that made the Iconic $ a Day, Plus Expenses P.I. such an Enduring Part of the Popular Culture. Although Admittedly He looked Cooler in a Trenchcoat and Hat.

"Take this back to your leader. Tell him you've met the last of the dying dynasty: the king of the fools, unassailably virtuous, invariably broke." - Marlowe "Marlowe" is an interesting neo-noir by director Paul Bogart. Based on Raymond Chandler's 1949 novel, "The Little Sister", the film transports Chandler's iconic gumshoe, Philip Marlowe, to 1960s Los Angeles.All the usual Chandleresque features are here – a noble, wisecracking detective, a convoluted murder mystery, startling revelations, double-crosses, attractive women who throw themselves at Marlowe etc etc – but there are a few new additions sprinkled about. Marlowe, for example, is given a stable love interest and so brushes aside all who attempt to seduce him. He's also always fashionably broke, privileging his righteous crusades above sex or money. Trinkets specific to the 1960s then pop up: Marlowe's on friendly terms with a gay neighbour, weed smoking hippies are on display and Marlowe has a brief and wholly ridiculous fight with martial artist Bruce Lee.The film lacks the atmosphere and psychic weight of the great noirs, but its script is nevertheless richer and better written than most detective dramas of the era. It also cleverly juggles two eventually intersecting plots. This incarnation of Marlowe is played by James Garner.7.9/10 – Worth one viewing. See Jacques Tourneur's "Nightfall".