“Marlowe” (2022)

Drama

Running Time: 109 minutes

Written by: William Monahan and Neil Jordan

Directed by: Neil Jordan

Featuring: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ian Hart, Colm Meaney, Daniela Melchior, François Arnaud, Seána Kerslake, Danny Huston and Alan Cumming

Philip Marlowe: [after beating up two thugs] “Fuck it!”

[grabs a chair and hits one of them in the head]

Philip Marlowe: “I’m too old for this shit!”

Critical Commentary

“Marlowe” is a 2023 neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Neil Jordan and starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, and Jessica Lange. The film is based on the novel The Black-Eyed Blonde by Benjamin Black, a pen name of Irish novelist John Banville. The story follows Philip Marlowe, a private detective who is hired by a wealthy heiress to find her missing ex-lover. The investigation leads Marlowe into a dark and dangerous world of corruption and violence.

The film was released in theatres on March 11, 2023. It received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Neeson’s performance and the film’s atmosphere, while others criticized the slow pace and lack of originality.

The film is set in 1939 Los Angeles. Philip Marlowe (Liam Neeson) is a private detective who is hired by Clare Cavendish (Diane Kruger), a wealthy heiress, to find her missing ex-lover, Nico. Nico was last seen driving his car off a cliff, but Clare believes that he faked his death.

Marlowe’s investigation leads him to a number of shady characters, including Clare’s mother, Dorothy Quincannon (Jessica Lange), a former movie star whose new husband, Patrick Muldoon (Mitchell Mullen), is a powerful businessman with a criminal past. Marlowe also encounters a mysterious woman named Vivian (Sofia Boutella), who may be involved in Nico’s disappearance. As Marlowe gets closer to the truth, he finds himself in danger. He is attacked by thugs, and his life is threatened. But he refuses to give up, determined to find out what happened to Nico.

Marlowe is a complex and fascinating character. He is a hard-boiled detective who is cynical and world-weary. But he is also a man of integrity and compassion. He is willing to help those who are in need, even if it means putting himself in danger. Clare is a strong and independent woman who is determined to find her missing lover. She is not afraid to stand up for herself, even against powerful men.

Dorothy is a former movie star who is now married to a wealthy businessman. She is a glamorous and sophisticated woman, but she is also manipulative and ruthless. Patrick is a powerful businessman with a criminal past. He is a dangerous man who will stop at nothing to protect his secrets. Vivian is a mysterious woman who may be involved in Nico’s disappearance. She is beautiful and alluring, but she is also dangerous.

The film is set in 1939 Los Angeles. The city is awash in corruption and violence. The rich and powerful rule the city, and the police are often corrupt and ineffective. Marlowe is a fish out of water in this world, but he is determined to find justice.

The film has a dark and noir atmosphere. The city is depicted as a place of shadows and secrets. The characters are all flawed and complex, and the plot is full of twists and turns.

The film explores a number of themes, including corruption, violence, and the nature of justice. It also examines the relationship between men and women, and the role of women in a patriarchal society.

The film’s strengths include Neeson’s performance, the film’s atmosphere, and the supporting cast. Neeson is perfectly cast as Marlowe, and he brings a sense of depth and complexity to the role. The film’s atmosphere is dark and noir, and it perfectly captures the seedy underbelly of 1939 Los Angeles. The supporting cast is also strong, with Kruger, Lange, and Boutella all giving memorable performances.

The film’s weaknesses include the slow pace and lack of originality. The plot is somewhat predictable, and the film takes its time getting to the point. The film also suffers from some pacing issues, and it can be slow at times.

Philip Marlowe is one of the most iconic characters in crime fiction. He has been portrayed by many actors over the years, including Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, and Pierce Brosnan. Each actor has brought their own interpretation to the role, but Neeson’s performance is one of the most memorable.

Neeson brings a sense of depth and complexity to the role of Marlowe. He is not simply a hard-boiled detective. He is also a man of integrity and compassion. He is willing to help those who are in need, even if it means putting himself in danger.

Neeson’s performance is also helped by the film’s atmosphere. The film is dark and noir, and it perfectly captures the seedy underbelly of 1939 Los Angeles. The supporting cast is also strong, with Kruger, Lange, and Boutella all giving memorable performances.

It is unclear what the future holds for Philip Marlowe. The film Marlowe was not a commercial success, and it is unlikely that there will be any sequels. However, the character is still popular, and there is always the possibility that he will be portrayed in another film or television series.

Marlowe is a complex and fascinating character who has captured the imagination of readers and viewers for generations. He is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there are still people who are willing to fight for justice.

Marlowe is a well-made film that is worth watching for Neeson’s performance and the film’s atmosphere. However, the film’s slow pace and lack of originality may disappoint some viewers. Ultimately, whether or not you enjoy the film will depend on your personal preferences.

If you are a fan of neo-noir crime thrillers, then you will likely appreciate Marlowe. The film has a dark and atmospheric tone, and it features some memorable performances from Neeson, Kruger, and Lange. However, if you are looking for a fast-paced thriller with a lot of action, then you may be disappointed.

Overall, Marlowe is a well-made film that is worth watching for fans of the genre. However, it is not a film that will appeal to everyone.

Technical Commentary

Video

“Marlowe” appears in its original theatrical exhibition ratio of about 2.40:1 on this MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50. I saw Marlowe in the theater with 4K projection. Universal’s 2K transfer largely replicates my original experience. Cinematographer Xavi Giménez shot the movie with an Arri Alexa Mini LF camera with Signature Prime Lenses. It seems that the final DI was finished at 4K. The downsampling doesn’t really hinder detail and sharpness. Universal has done a stellar job of transferring it to Blu-ray. 

Audio

Universal has supplied a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround mix (3502 kbps, 24-bit). Delivery of dialogue is fine.