Review of The Maltese Falcon (1941) by Thomas M — 06 Feb 2009

What can one say about one of the most iconic American movies ever made that hasn't already been said?

The film is not without it's flaws. The romance between Spade and O'Shaughnessy is handled clumsily and half-heartedly. The movie could have been just as good without it, and would have been better had it been developed more in depth, more believably. The few episodes of violence are unconvincing, almost laughable for their restraint. The character of Wilmer, Gutman's hired gun, is absurdly unbelievable - the ease with which Spade repeatedly disarms him contradicts his supposed efficacy as the murderer of two other characters. (Undoubtedly, though, a large portion of the blame for these flaws lies at the feet of the ridiculous Hays Code.).

Despite these flaws, however, the "Falcon" sweeps you up. Bogart is stellar in his role as Sam Spade. He is a hard, cold man, who laughs at his own cynicism and methods of self-preservation. When he grins, one can't help but grin and laugh along with him.

Bogart makes this film what it is. The plot, the acting of the other characters, and the cinematography (which IS excellent), are almost incidental. What you really want to see is Spade, quick-talking his way out of jams with the police, the treasure-hunters, his semi-ally O'Shaughnessy, wise-cracking to the police and the D.A., playing everyone else in his attempts to find out the truth. Spade is a bad-ass that one can't help but love for his wit and adherence to his own moral code.

I won't spoil the end, except to say that it is the sort of ending I personally love. I'm sure it's not hard to figure out what happens regarding the titular Falcon, in the end. The film is worth watching regardless of whether the mystery has been spoiled, though. It is Bogart's acting, and all the great lines he gets to deliver that make this such an excellent film. The final line of dialogue is one that will remain as one of great lines of cinema. In answer to the question of what the Falcon is, Spade responds, "The uh, stuff dreams are made of." A fitting end for this classic movie.