edwagreen
Miserable 1969 film based on the Raymond Chandler novel. Total confusing and often quite annoying would best describe this train wreck of a picture.We go from ice pick murders to two sisters reporting their brother missing to all other sorts of mayhem.There is absolutely no cohesion in this film. What was the role of that shady, lunatic doctor?James Garner gets absolutely no support from the dreadful writing.Carroll O'Connor gives an interesting performance as a chief police officer who is quite cynical when it comes to people in general.
Danny Blankenship
Suspense and private eye flicks are okay and this 1969 flick "Marlowe" is clearly no "Chinatown" it's still a film of wonder and mystery. Starring James Garner("The Rockford Files")as private eye Philip Marlowe who's tough and the money doesn't come easy still this private eye is smooth investigating cases and in this film he's on one of a missing person. And soon no one is who they seem the case takes twists and turns that involve blackmail and murders with ice picks. And all of this is taking place in a growing 1960's L.A. it's a hard boiled case with changing characters(it was nice to see a Bruce Lee appearance!) and that makes it tougher for Marlowe to crack the case. Overall this little suspense piece is entertaining it's funny watching the plot unfold and seeing new twist in a mystery game.
sunnyside1905
This stylish detective flick is reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart in the Maltese Falcon. I thought that the pacing and suspense of this movie were excellent. Also, be on the lookout for a handsome BRUCE LEE as Winslow Wong, one of the bad guy's hired heavies. Bruce's death scene is very unrealistic, but since so much of the debate around Bruce Lee today focuses on how he would do in MMA competition, it is worth remembering how intimidating Bruce would be if he had a bad attitude around normal people. Overall, I would say that this film is a good bridge for Garner's career between MAVERICK and THE ROCKFORD FILES.RIP Mr. James Garner
tieman64
"Take this back to your leader. Tell him you've met the last of the dying dynasty: the king of the fools, unassailably virtuous, invariably broke." - Marlowe "Marlowe" is an interesting neo-noir by director Paul Bogart. Based on Raymond Chandler's 1949 novel, "The Little Sister", the film transports Chandler's iconic gumshoe, Philip Marlowe, to 1960s Los Angeles.All the usual Chandleresque features are here – a noble, wisecracking detective, a convoluted murder mystery, startling revelations, double-crosses, attractive women who throw themselves at Marlowe etc etc – but there are a few new additions sprinkled about. Marlowe, for example, is given a stable love interest and so brushes aside all who attempt to seduce him. He's also always fashionably broke, privileging his righteous crusades above sex or money. Trinkets specific to the 1960s then pop up: Marlowe's on friendly terms with a gay neighbour, weed smoking hippies are on display and Marlowe has a brief and wholly ridiculous fight with martial artist Bruce Lee.The film lacks the atmosphere and psychic weight of the great noirs, but its script is nevertheless richer and better written than most detective dramas of the era. It also cleverly juggles two eventually intersecting plots. This incarnation of Marlowe is played by James Garner.7.9/10 – Worth one viewing. See Jacques Tourneur's "Nightfall".
AD
