A One Mann’s Movies review of “Marlowe” (2023).
As a production company, A24 have developed a fabulous reputation for releasing great stuff: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” being their latest Oscar winner. In contrast, Sky Original Movies seem to be a brand that, 8 times out of 10, deliver disappointments. And here’s their latest – “Marlowe” – released this week. From the trailer it looked promising: Liam Neeson as Raymond Chandler’s private dick Philip Marlowe and a supporting cast including Diane Kruger, Colm Meaney, Alan Cumming, Danny Huston and the great Jessica Lange. But, unfortunately, it was not to be. For the movie is lumbered with excruciatingly risable dialogue.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
It’s Hollywood in 1939. Philip Marlowe (Liam Neeson) is hired by the beautiful and mysterious Clare Cavendish (Diane Kruger) to investigate the disappearance of her lover Nico Peterson (François Arnaud). Her mother, the famous actress Dorothy Quincannon (Jessica Lange) is also equally interested in finding him. But when Nico turns up squashed in a hit-and-run outside a wealthy polo club, Marlowe is sucked into a dangerous game of blackmail, deceit, drug-trafficking, murderous Mexicans and a siren called Serena.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC: “Strong violence, bloody images, language, drug misuse.”).
Talent:
Starring: Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, Diane Kruger, François Arnaud, Alan Cumming, Colm Meaney, Danny Huston.
Directed by: Neil Jordan.
Written by: William Monahan, Neil Jordan & John Banville.
Twitter Handle: #MarloweMovie.
Liam Neeson, at home in the guise of Raymond Chandler’s famous private detective. (Source: Sky).
“Marlowe” Review:
Positives:
- I have oft complained that Liam Neeson really ought to step back from playing the all-out action hero. He’s 70 for God’s sake. And leaping off buildings or hanging off trains was becoming progressively more unbelievable several movies ago. Here though is a vehicle that suits him. A character with presence that isn’t afraid to use those Ballymena-trained fists to duff up a few bad guys in a still believable way. With a better film, Neeson could definitely be at home in this role.
- I’ve always loved Jessica Lange. I mean – REALLY loved her. I remember seeing her film-debut in 1976’s version of “King Kong”. Drifting into shot, lying in a rowing boat, barely wearing a sheer, body-clinging red dress. For some reason, it greatly appealed to me at the tender age of 15! And I remember her so well as the love interest in “Tootsie”, also looking utterly gorgeous. So it is really great to see her in this. She’s now in her mid-70’s but still with that twinkle in her eye. And the lady can still act.
Jessica Lange as Dorothy Quincannon. (Source: Sky).
Negatives:
- The dialogue in here is truly appalling. I mean, head-in-the-hands bad. The characters come out with lines in that no living human would ever use in a conversation, not even in a Raymond Chandler novel. I noted down one particular exchange between Marlowe and Clare:
- Clare: “I’m terrible at dancing”.
- Marlowe: “I’m a worse lover”
- Clare: “Do you expect me to believe that?”
- Alan Cumming, normally a welcome addition to any film, gets to spout some crazy pseudo-philosophical mumbo-jumbo, and delivers it in a curious accent that veers from Scottish to Deep-South, normally hovering somewhere in between.
- I sung Daniela Melchior’s praises as the ‘Ratcatcher 2’ girl in “The Suicide Squad“. “Such extraordinary screen presence!” I said. “A great future beckons” I said. Oh dear! I didn’t realise it was her until writing this review, but I found her cameo performace as Nico’s sister Lynn Peterson utterly cringeworthy.
- The whole film is allegedly set in Hollywood. But there are very few scenes that make you think you are ever in America. The film was actually shot in Barcelona and Dublin, and absolutely feels like that.
- I’m not sure I ever totally got my head around the convoluted plot. Which is frankly too convoluted for its own good.
Summary Thoughts on “Marlowe”
This sounded good on paper. Classic film noir material. Great cast. Neil “The Crying Game” Jordan at the helm. But, unfortunately not. A mid-Atlantic offering that convinces noone and dies on its feet due to terrible dialogue. Given that William Monaghan (an Oscar winner for “The Departed”) was one of the writers, this seems a bizarre mis-step.
I actually think I’ve been generous in giving it the 2*’s but they are primarily for seeing Jennifer Lange again and renewing old passions!
[fblike]
Trailer for “Marlowe”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1SChRUEfqk .
