M-Cinema24

Marlowe (2023) Movie | M-Cinema24

As bad business and loneliness is taking its toll on private detective Philip Marlowe, a beautiful blonde arrives and asks him to find her ex-lover, which proves to be just a small part in a bigger mystery.

Released: 2023-02-15

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Casts: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange, Danny Huston, Alan Cumming

Duration: 110 min

Country: France, Ireland, Spain, United States of America

Production: Davis Films, Parallel Films, Jeff Rice Films, Nickel City Pictures, Elipsis Capital, Aperture Media Partners, H2L Media Group, Storyboard Media, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, The Foley Lab, Briarcliff Entertainment, Davis-Films, Briarcliff Entertainment, StoryBoard Media

"Marlowe," the latest film from director Neil Jordan, features Liam Neeson as the titular character, a private detective in 1930s Los Angeles. The movie is based not on a novel by Raymond Chandler, but rather on a book by John Banville that was authorized by Chandler's estate. While some may question whether Neeson is the best fit for the role, the film ultimately succeeds thanks to its smart script, sharp direction, and solid performances from the cast. 

Neeson, who is now 70 years old, may seem an odd choice to play the suave and sprightly Marlowe, a character who has been portrayed in the past by the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Dick Powell, James Garner, and Elliott Gould. However, the actor's weight and gravitas bring a different kind of presence to the role. While Marlowe was never a character who was light or meant to be taken lightly, he was also not a one-dimensional tough guy. He was a complex and intelligent character, and Neeson's performance captures that depth and nuance.

The film's plot is a bit reminiscent of "Chinatown," with Marlowe being approached by a woman named Clare Cavendish (played by Diane Kruger) who wants him to investigate the disappearance of her young, movie-industry-affiliated boyfriend. As Marlowe delves deeper into the case, he discovers a web of deceit and corruption that involves a sleazy nightclub owner (Danny Huston), an aging starlet, a corrupt bigwig (Alan Cumming), and more. While the plot may not be as complex as some of Chandler's novels, it still manages to keep the audience engaged with its many twists and turns.