A dark, steely performance from Humphrey Bogart is at the cynical heart of John Huston’s adaptation of the classic detective novel
John Huston’s adaptation of the Dashiell Hammett novel, as well as having the greatest MacGuffin of all time, is a ringing disproof of Raymond Chandler’s belief that detective stories depend on men coming through doors with guns. People arrive with guns a good deal in The Maltese Falcon, but mostly without them; Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade makes a point of telling us he prefers to be unarmed, and he has a very cool line in disarming other people. And what a superb performance from Bogart: darker, steelier and more ambiguous than his Rick in Casablanca, with all the world-weary cynicism, but none of the romantic sacrifice – just a strangely opaque manipulative streak, a need to use the women that cross his path. It’s a tough wised-up routine,...
John Huston’s adaptation of the Dashiell Hammett novel, as well as having the greatest MacGuffin of all time, is a ringing disproof of Raymond Chandler’s belief that detective stories depend on men coming through doors with guns. People arrive with guns a good deal in The Maltese Falcon, but mostly without them; Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade makes a point of telling us he prefers to be unarmed, and he has a very cool line in disarming other people. And what a superb performance from Bogart: darker, steelier and more ambiguous than his Rick in Casablanca, with all the world-weary cynicism, but none of the romantic sacrifice – just a strangely opaque manipulative streak, a need to use the women that cross his path. It’s a tough wised-up routine,...
- 9/17/2021
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Similar News
‘Expats’ Duo Nicole Kidman And Lulu Wang On The Emotional Toll Of Bringing Novel To Life
- 4/29/2024
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
One Of Steven Spielberg's Best Movies Almost Went To A Different Director
- 4/7/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Chinatown is coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray for its 50th birthday
- 4/3/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Triple the Romance: 5 Best Love Triangle Movies to Watch After Challengers
- 4/30/2024
- by info@startefacts.com (Ava Raxa)
- STartefacts.com
The Greatest Crime Movie Ever Made Was Written by A.I.
- 4/16/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Kiefer Sutherland: William Friedkin made me want to be in film
- 4/14/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
For Francis Ford Coppola’s Go-for-Broke Movies, All Roads Lead to Cannes
- 4/22/2024
- by Thomas Doherty
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When Colin Farrell Became ‘Sugar,’ the Set Was Never Sure Who They Would Get
- 4/8/2024
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Sugar Review: A Gumshoe Tale That Gives New Meaning to the Word “Hardboiled”
- 3/31/2024
- by Ross McIndoe
- Slant Magazine
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.