Farewell My Lovely (1975)

Of all the Philip Marlowes, Robert Mitchum's in Farewell, My Lovely resonates most deeply. That's because this is Marlowe past his prime, and Mitchum imbues Raymond Chandler's legendary private detective with a sense of maturity as well as a melancholy spirit. And yet there's plenty of Mitchum's renowned self-deprecating humor and charismatic charm to remind us of his own iconic presence. As in the previous 1944 film version, Murder, My Sweet, Marlowe searches all over L.A. for the elusive girlfriend of ex-con Moose Malloy, a lovable giant who might as well be King Kong. In typical Chandler fashion, the weary Marlowe uncovers a hotbed of lust, corruption, and betrayal. Like Malloy, he's disillusioned by it all, despite his tough exterior, and possesses a tinge of sentimentality for the good old days. About the only current dream he can hold onto is Joe DiMaggio and his fabulous hitting streak. Made in 1975, a year after Chinatown (shot by the same cinematographer, John Alonzo), Farewell, My Lovely is more straightforward and nostalgic, but still possesses a requisite hard-boiled edge, and the best kind of angst the '70s had to offer. (By the way, you'll notice Sylvester Stallone in a rather violent cameo, a year before his Rocky breakthrough.) --Bill Desowitz Amazon.com

My All-Time Favorite Film of the Genre

Robert Mitchum, Sylvia Miles, Charlotte Rampling, Harry Dean Stanton, Jack O'Halloran, John Ireland and Sylvester Stallone,among others - what a lineup. Of the entire genre of film noir, tough guy detective films, this one is by far the best. Mitchum is at his all time best, even though he's nearly sixty in this film (a bit old to play Marlowe, in my opinion, but he carries it off with absolute aplomb). He is the quintessential tough guy gumshoe Marlowe (he floors Dick Powell's previous characterization of the role), Sylvia Miles and Charlotte Rampling turn in flawless performances, and in fact Sylvia Miles received a well-deserved Oscar nod for hers. John Ireland and Harry Dean Stanton also gave marquee performances as well. Even young Sylvester Stallone is a surprise. But another one that stands out for me personally is the absolutely perfectly cast Jack O'Halloran as Moose Malloy. He plays the uber-big lunkhead looking for his girlfriend and I find myself caring for this character, following how the character develops and wanting to see the outcome for big Moose. O' Halloran did an outstanding job, playing Moose to spot-on realism and really filled in that dimension of the film for me. This film is a winner. May 29, 2008

one of the best!

I am now trying to purchase this movie, it looks like I can only get it in used VHS form. (I cant wait any longer for it on DVD, but will definately buy it again when it is available on DVD WS).
But I will forever remember this movie as a young teen, sitting in the theatre, when it first came out in the 1970's. I sat and watched it over and over and over again! I've always loved Robert Mitchum, always loved Film Noir and this Movie has it all. Mitchum was a great actor and this is by far his greatest role, his greatest acting in his long career. The acting, the cinematography, the music, all great! Yes, lots of previous versions from the 30's, etc which were also good, but this one is NOT good, it is GREAT! This could have been and has the exact great look of a 30's, 40's, 50's noir. I cant say enough about this flick, so I'll stop now! If you like film noir, Robert mitchum, mysteries, an excellent movie, then you've got to see this one. Not only see it, but experience it! January 22, 2008

They don't make films like that anymore

L.A. of June 1941 as it was depicted in the Raymond Chandler's novel of the same title is filled with the dark secrets of the past that better stay uncovered. Philip Marlow, PE (Robert Mitcum) takes a job to find a vanished girlfriend of the felon Moose Malloy, and he has no idea what will follow. As Marlow searches for Velma Galento, he has to deal with a beautiful but cold and calculating seductress (Charlotte Rampling - young, sensual and dangerous), a jealous corrupt detective (Stanton), an old alcoholic girlfriend (Sylvia Miles in one of her two Oscar nominated performances, second - the shortest in the history of Oscars, for "Midnight Cowboy"), and a buffed thug (Sylvester Stallone -- it was fun to see him before he became a star of Rocky and Rambo).

This adaptation of Raymond Chandler novel features action, suspense, humor, mystery and Robert Mitchum in one of his best performances as a man struggling with cynicism, hatred, and betrayal.

August 4, 2007

FIND MY VELMA, PLEASE

Phillip Marlowe, Raymond Chandler's classic noir hard-boiled private detective forever literarily associated with Los Angeles and its means streets is right at home here in his search for the inevitable `missing woman' (`dame' for the non-politically correct types) of an ex-convict who will not take no for an answer. And a `missing woman" who wants to stay missing and will not take no for an answer. There is plenty of sparse but function dialogue, physical action and a couple of plot twists, particularly around the identity of the above-mentioned `dame' that caught me off guard. Give me those background oil derricks churning out the wealth while looking for Rusty Regan in Big Sleep or the run down stucco flats in pursue of Moose's Velma in Farewell, My Lovely any day. As always with Chandler you get high literature in a plebian package. Robert Mitchum is just the right actor at that point in his career where his profile and manner match the aging world-weary P.I. who has been around the block but who still seeks justice, whatever that may be and however it can be had. June 20, 2007

It Can Stand Alongside The Earlier Version

"Farewell My Lovely," based on the novel of the same name by famed hard-boiled detective author Raymond Chandler, a Californian, is set in the author's glamorous 1940's film noir Los Angeles. However, it was filmed, lavishly -- no stinting on any car or landmark -- in the Los Angeles of the 1970's, to be released in 1975. It was also filmed in color, the theory being that LA noirs may successfully be filmed in color. 1970's LA was then rather neo-noir itself, in the sour aftermath of the Manson family murders, and the Hell's Angels' murder at the Rolling Stones' Altamont concert. Quite a few neo-noirs were being filmed there and then, in color. "Farewell" is actually an English production. David Selag Goodman adapted the script, staying much closer to the novel than the original, 1944 adaptation, "Murder My Sweet," starring Dick Powell. Jerry Bruckheimer gets a production credit on the movie; his touch might be seen in the open-handedness with which it's filmed, the well-orchestrated, swift-moving scenes of violence -- the whole movie clocks in at a quick 98 minutes-- and the all-star cast assembled for it.

The movie evokes its time: Joe DiMaggio's breathlessly followed 1941 hitting streak. And it succeeds in giving us a sense that December 7, 1941 is inevitably coming: "The day that will live in infamy," then President Roosevelt famously said. The day that began World War II, with the Japanese dawn bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, ( that's not so far from LA). The jazzy score is by David Shire. The cinematography was by John Alonzo, who had just done "Chinatown" the year before; he gives us a real sense of the sun baked, beautiful but sinister city of its setting.

This film should be sufficient to convince anyone that Robert Mitchum was born to play Philip Marlowe. Even though it's true that, in his late 50's at the time, he was a bit old for it. Never mind, that lived-in, world weary, expressive face, with a hint of humor in the heavy-lidded eyes, and the tough old guy body language, is perfect for the role. And Chandler told interviewers he'd visualized Mitchum for the part all along. Mitchum is ably supported by the ever cool, gorgeously sultry Charlotte Rampling as the femme fatale. The cast also includes John Ireland, Sylvia Miles, Anthony Zerbe, Harry Dean Stanton, and a young Sylvester Stallone, in an important, though hardly speaking, bit part.

Things open as a down on his luck Marlowe:" All I own is a hat, a gun, and a suit," he says, is approached by a new, would-be client, giant Moose Malloy, fresh from prison after doing seven years for his girlfriend Velma (Rampling). She's cute as "lace-trimmed pants," the ex-con says, and he wants Marlowe to find her. That investigation will take Marlowe through the highlife, and lowlifes of LA. He'll end up no better off than he was, in fact, the worse for wear. But people he meets on his quest are going to end up even worse.

This is a strong, well-done movie, with an interesting, complex plot. It certainly can stand aside the earlier, black and white classic version. April 7, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...