Review of The Big Sleep (1946) by Ryan V — 01 Mar 2012
The Big Sleep.
Dir: Howard Hawks.
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall.
A complex film-noir, too complicated, it requires more of attention and dedication to watching it. Humphrey Bogart plays private detective Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as Vivien Sternwood. Even during its release there was so much of commotion among film-critics regarding its stretched out plot. But to me it was fairly 1hr.53min of being entertained with Bogie and Bacall pair, mystery, film-noir, sinister atmospheric town, and memorable clever dialogues (with humor in most of them) by Bogie. Howard Hawks, keeps tone of his signature movies, by providing brilliant use of guns; his direction is marvelous, no doubt about it. Bogie plays character out of fear and tiresome, he faces dire situations courageously and he withstands his work truly and magnificently.
Bogie occasionally tells Bacall, she is shaking, when he questions her. At near end after killing a contract-killer, Bogie's hands shake upon loading a gun, and Bacall repeats his lines, 'You're the one who's shaking now!', to what Bogie replies in cold and calm look at floor, 'scared angel...so you're too!'.
This review of The Big Sleep (1946) was written by Ryan V on 01 Mar 2012.
The Big Sleep has generally received very positive reviews.
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