Marlowe

 

Picture belongs to Open Road Pictures


 We have come to the 100th film of a Mr. Liam Neeson. He started way back in 1978 with "Pilgrims Progress". To still be in the business, after all that time, is no small feat. 

 This film revolves around Marlowe (Liam Neeson), a private detective in Bay City California. One day, an heiress (Diane Kruger) walks in his office to find her missing lover.

       With a small film, such as this if you can get a good cast that is always something to celebrate. This film graces us with Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange, Allan Cumming, and Danny Huston. These are all excellent gets. My guess would be they wanted to work with the legendary director Niel Jordan, for those unaware of his career here are a few: "Cryng Game", "Interview with a Vampire", and "Michael Collins". I would want to be there too. 

 Hands down, the best part of this movie is the set design, granted was not alive in the 30's but the attention to detail is beautiful.

 Crime and/ or detective stories can be difficult to pull off. To me, it is like a con film. You are only as good as your pay off. If your pay off works than the rest falls into place, if not, it tends to upend the rest of the film. With this movie the payoff is weak, so it does make the rest of the film feel cheap. This film was written by William Monohan, the writer of "The Departed". To say my expectations were high, was an understatement. 

    This is a movie with potential that just does not come together. It has interesting premise, but I just don't think it sticks the landing.

GRADE: C 


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