Review of The Maltese Falcon (1941) by Andrew N — 09 Aug 2009

This is just probably a very obscure movie to most people and I am here to tell you. That is possibly the worst injustice of cinema. Oh yeah, I just said that. To explain how I even saw this movie (considering its obscurity), A) I wanted to understand the 80000000000000+ references to this movie in all forms of art. Just watch any TV show after watching this and you will understand exactly what I'm talking about. B) I have a competition going with my brother going to see who can complete AFI's top 100 list before the other. Anyway, I love film Noir. Easily one of the fantastic, unknown genres (or at least unknown to the modern era).

So let's start up this little review. The positives. The acting. Holy F@*(ing S*(# F*(#. It's fantastic. It is of the quality of the era as one might expect. The difference between the eras is clearly shown here. There were no actors in the 40's there because of looks. They were there because they could convince you that as you looked at them, it wasn't really them. They were exactly who they portrayed. Humphrey Bogart IS Sam Spade. There is no Bogart, there is only Spade. And you will believe that. Trust me. Anyway. The acting is fantastic, easily convincing one of the skill of the people they are currently observing. The plot is phenomenal. It's one of those movies that has a fantastic and tangled plot but you watch as it untangles itself as the film goes and in that way does what a plot should do. It shows you a story but treats you like a human being and lets you piece together the clues as they go. The characters are well rounded and easily hide their true motives until the glorious finale. Bogart's Spade is the epitome of the hard-boiled Private Eye. He is a womanizing, cold-blooded, brilliant and backstabbing man who clearly knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. Bogart is one of the greatest actors of all time and really shows that through this film. Well, this and a little film known as CASABLANCA.

This movie is truly amazing. It is mind=blowingly good. My television still has chunks of my brain on it and the last time I watched it was probably a year and a half ago. It is easily one of the greatest films in the history of cinema and something that all of you must see. IMMEDIATELY. WHY ARE YOU STILL READING THIS? GO SEE IT.