Review of The Big Sleep (1946) by Michael C — 04 Feb 2010
Pretty cool film noir, but saying a Humphrey Bogart film noir is cool is like saying a Rob Schneider movie is poorly written: it's common knowledge. This one revolving around Bogart's Phillip Marlowe investigating a blackmail case has a great script with pieces of dialogue exchanges that are rapid fire, witty, and a lot of fun to witness as a viewer.
And I get now why guys went gaga for Lauren Bacall; she's gorgeous and was brassy in a way that didn't veer toward masculine. I think I actually prefer this to the Maltese Falcon, which may be a better film overall, but the truth is I enjoyed how much more action packed this one was.
Howard Hawks' direction is solid, using the lighting and shadows and general ethereal feeling of noir well. Entertaining entry into the usually fruitful '40s noir genre.
This review of The Big Sleep (1946) was written by Michael C on 04 Feb 2010.
The Big Sleep has generally received very positive reviews.
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