Widely considered as the breakthrough classic of ‘film noire’ genre where we meet tough, dark, antihero kind of lead characters, dark cinematography and plot intriguing us to murder, infidelity and crimes to chase ‘the stuff that dreams are made of’. Sam Spade is a hard boiled and almost unpredictable detective gets his new glamorous client. What is initial trail treads him into troubled waters full of double crossing gang ready to search bejeweled million dollar statue of falcon. Staying within the line of law, Spade tries to map the hard truth.
Based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel, the film is Director John Huston’s brilliant directorial debut and his combination with legendary Humphrey Bogart is something great Hollywood chemistry which later worked some career defining films for both of them i.e.- ‘The African Queen’ and ‘The Treasure of Sierra Madre’. Though it is based on novel, the screenplay of the film is written so meticulously by Huston that it doesn’t give us the time to know what is the truth and what is the lie. It certainly full of impeccably topnotch performances by all cast. Whether it’s finest screen chemistry between Bogart and Mary Astor or from supporting cast like Peter Lorre as suave Cairo or Sidney Greenstreet as Gutman; all of they’re almost as immortal as the film. But it’s special film for Bogart, and he literally made Sam Spade an icon along with Rick of ‘Casablanca’ which was released the very next year and made a history.A do not miss classic ‘film noire’ and a mandatory watch for all Bogart fans.
Ratings- 9/10
2 comments:
Widely considered the film that kick-started film noire as genre.
And, once again, the long, deep-focused takes from a fixed camera make it something of a rarity in its times (late 30s-early 40s).
Though the long interrogation scenes are very odd for us today.
Now that you have mentioned it, have to watch it again!
oh ya, i forget to mention that. Well classics are meant to watch several times and with repeat watch perhaps we comprehend them fully.
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