The Long Goodbye (1973)

Directed by Robert Altman. Starring Elliott Gould, Nina van Pallandt and Sterling Hayden.

Chandler purists don't like this film. And you can't blame them because Gould's Marlowe is a chain-smoking slob, forever muttering to himself, and who finally blows what little of the original's integrity he manages to display throughout the movie.

Let's ask a few questions:

Is this movie a typical example of Altman's cinematic flair?

Sure is. It's as flashy as hell. There's the usual overlapping, aimless dialogue; a scene involving reflections in a window; also great ensemble acting. Credit where it's due.

What about the acting?

Pretty good. Hayden's good, though his character is an irritating bore. Mark Rydell is not bad as a gangster boss, although probably he was just playing himself. He is a director after all. Nina is pretty pretty, for a skinny bird. Elliott is just brilliant. Never better. In every scene. He carries the film, such as it is.

Comedy?

It has moments: the thing with the cat; the thing with the trainee hood; the thing with the guard who likes to do impersonations (I liked his Walter Brennan, but Cary Grant was poor). Elliott was hilarious throughout.

Drama, intrigue, suspense?

Not a lot.

Does it reflect the era when it was made?

Definitely. The half-naked tarts in the neighbouring apartment, doing yoga and making candles, the 'aren't we so cool' condescension to the bourgeoisie, the occasional existential violence.

Character development?

Don't be silly.

Judgement?

I enjoyed it but mostly for Gould's performance and because it was a diverting new take on an old character. But it didn't work for me, and I just want to go back and watch Bogie in The Big Sleep or Dick Powell in Farewell, My Lovely (Mitchum , come to that).

But suit yourself. Makes no difference to me.