This is one of those rare crime dramas where the plot is as complicated as in a book, with very little simplification for screen. Howard Hawk’s ‘The Big Sleep’ needs you to pay attention to detail as it traces the path of private eye Philip Marlowe as he attempts to uncover a murder set in a dense web of relationships.
The plot revolves around Philip Marlowe, who is hired by a wealthy General Sternwood to resolve the gambling debts of his younger daughter Carmen. Her elder sister Vivian believes that Marlowe has been hired because her father actually wants him to find an old associate. Marlowe’s path gets complicated as Carmen’s creditor is murdered and Vivian receiving nude pictures of Carmen with a ransom demand. He needs to figure out who is responsible.
The film’s plot is very confusing if you miss out on any of the sub-plots. Credit must be given to the screen writers for adopting the Raymond Chandler book and keeping the film version as rich as you would find in a crime novel. Howard Hawk’s direction pits a group of smart people against each other, with crisp and stinging dialogues and innuendos.
Philip Marlowe is right up Bogart’s alley. A role that needs sharp thinking, quick wit and a devil-may-care attitude has Bogart playing it superbly, bringing back memories of Rick Blaine in ‘Casablanca’. He is supported ably by the bewitching Lauren Bacall as Vivian as she helps Marlowe unravel the case while trying to come onto him at the same time.
This is a serious and intelligent film that feels like a crime novel projected on screen.
