"The Big Sleep" is the second of four films that Humphrey Bogart made with Lauren Bacall. It is also the second most famous detective film that Bogart made, after "The Maltese Falcon".
"The Big Sleep" is an entertaining film with a contrived, overly complex plot. The characters, however, aren't complex at all. It would be unfair to say that they are one-dimensional, but generous to give them more than two dimensions. Carmen, for example, is lovely and childish, but little else. Harry Jones is the only character to show vulnerability. Still, the dialogue (based on the novel by Raymond Chandler, but first screen credit is given to novelist William Faulkner) is good, especially between Bacall and Bogart, and the cast and production values are first rate.
Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) is a private
investigator hired by General Sternwood (Charles
Waldron) to stop blackmail attempts against his
two daughters Vivian (Lauren Bacall) and Carmen
(Martha Vickers). Bogart's investigation is
hampered by all the suspects getting murdered.
Bogart eventually falls for Bacall, despite her
showing up in all the wrong places, and telling
him a series of lies.
"To Have and Have Not" was Bogart and Bacall's
first film together. The commercial and critical
success of that film, especially the dialogue
between the stars, was not lost on Warner
Brothers. "The Big Sleep" was mostly filmed in
1944, but not immediately released. Studio execs
decided to replace several of the scenes,
reducing Vickers' role in favor of Bacall's.
Bogart and Bacall were given suggestive dialogue
unusual for the era. The two films have something
else in common: both directors apparently
believed that Bacall could sing.
"The Big Sleep" is a male fantasy, as seen
through the eyes of Humphrey Bogart. Something is
always happening, he knows the score, and women
can't get enough of him. The role is tailor-made
for Bogart.
Some spoilers follow:
Since the plot is so confusing that you can't
tell the players without a program, I have done
my best to make a list of all the murders, in
chronological order, described by victim, killer,
and motive.
Shawn Regan, detective for General Sternwood,
murdered by Carmen, who was jealous of his
preference for Eddie Mars' wife Mona (Peggy
Knudsen). Mr. Geiger, bookseller and apparent
merchant in stolen goods, murdered by Owen
Taylor, who was General Sternwood's chauffeur.
Geiger was blackmailing Carmen since he knew she
killed Regan. Taylor was in love with Carmen, and
murdered Geiger.
Owen Taylor, murdered by Joe Brody (Louis Jean
Heydt). Brody, also a blackmailer, did not want
competition for Sternwood's payoffs.
Joe Brody, murdered by Carol Lundgren (Tom
Rafferty). Carol worked for Geiger, and thought
Brody had murdered Geiger. Carol hid Geiger's
body to buy time to remove Geiger's merchandise.
Harry Jones (Elisha Cook Jr), murdered by Canino
(Bob Steele). Canino worked for crooked casino
owner Eddie Mars (John Ridgely). Mars is
attempting to blackmail Vivian. Mars, for some
reason, didn't like Jones tailing Bogart. Bogart
is so impressed with Jones' martyrdom that he
praises him to the skies to anyone who will
listen, for the rest of the film.
Canino is later killed in self-defense by Bogart.
Eddie Mars, murdered by his own henchmen Sidney
(Tom Fadden) and Pete (Ben Welden). They thought
that they were shooting at Bogart and not their
boss. Remember all this the next time you see
the film, and it will almost make sense! (69/100)
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