Movie Review: The Big Sleep (1946)

The Big Sleep (1946) directed by Howard Hawks based on the novel by Raymond Chandler

Let me summarize the plot...uh, let me tell you about the start of the story. Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) is hired by General Sternwood (Charles Waldron), an old man with two vivacious and difficult daughters. Carmen Sternwood (Martha Vickers) throws herself at every man she sees, which includes Marlowe. Vivan Rutledge (Lauren Bacall) is her older sister who is a little more coy though she has her own problems. Sternwood wants Marlowe to take care of some gambling debts attributed to Carmen and to keep it quiet, even from Mrs. Rutledge (I think she's a widow, at least she acts like it). She tries to find out what Marlowe has been hired to do though he demurs, respecting the old man's wishes. As he investigates, a very tangled web of intrigue is revealed.

This film noir classic is famous for solidifying the "Bogie and Bacall" partnership (they had starred in To Have and Have Not a few years before and were married at this point) with some great banter and interactions between the two. It is also famous for the convoluted plot--the screenwriters at one point contacted Chandler to find out who had killed a certain character and even Chandler was not sure. The storyline is hard to follow, even watching it a fourth time. The dialogue is so good, even beyond the main couple's interactions. The directing style is unobtrusive but compelling, pulling viewers along at a breakneck pace that makes sorting out details so hard. Marlowe is a compelling character, a tough detective who is smart and honest but plays his cards very close to the vest. The whole thing is very satisfying even while being very confusing. Sorting out the puzzle is one of many joys this film provides.

Highly recommended.

The podcast Unspooled has a review and commentary on this episode here. Parental warning: their language can get PG-13/R-rated at times.