‘Marlowe’ falls short of film noir greatness

By DAVE MASON

NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

If you’re a fan of Raymond Chandler’s mysteries and his characters, “Marlowe” will interest you. Just don’t expect too much.

Although Liam Neeson does his usual great job in playing detective Phillip Marlowe, this film noir movie falls short in terms of story and plot twists.

You should know this is not a story written by Mr. Chandler.

former lover in this movie set in fictional Bay City, Calif. Her boyfriend was involved in the movie industry. Marlowe’s search leads to a host of complications, including the appearance of Clare’s mother, played with some (but not too much) spunk by Jessica Lange.

“Marlowe” is playing at 4:40 p.m. daily at Hitchcock Cinema and Public House, 371 S. Hitchcock Way, Santa Barbara (metrotheatres.com). The movie is rated R for language, violent content, some sexual material and brief drug use. Its running time is 110 minutes.

It’s based on a Chandler estate-sanctioned book by John Banville.

While you won’t be swept away by the story, you’ll likely enjoy Mr. Neeson’s take on the detective. He’s a worthy successor to other actors who have walked in Marlowe’s shoes, although it’s impossible to beat Humphrey Bogart, who starred as the detective in “The Big Sleep” (1946).

“Marlowe” is set in 1939.

A beautiful blonde — Clare Cavendish, played with sultry, film noir finesse by Diane Kruger — hires Mr. Neeson to find her

No. 305 email: dmason@newspress.com

The other characters also add this to the film, including the villain played well by Alan Cumming and a chauffeur with unexpected skills, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuove-Agbaje.

Director Neil Jordan leads the actors well in some good conversations, and there are some plot surprises. But while “Marlowe” has its moments, it falls short of the rhythm and tone of film noir.

By the way, “Marlowe” hasn’t topped or come close to topping the box office, and there’s just one screening of it in Santa Barbara County: 4:40 p.m. daily at Hitchcock Pub and Cinema House in Santa Barbara.

BY WILL NEDIGER / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

3. They drank lots of water.

4. They ate a healthy diet.

5. They took as little medication as possible.

6. They took little walks often.

7. They stayed as engaged with life as best they could. After hearing this, I cleaned up my act a bit to get a jumpstart. Healthy living is easier these days, because my loving wife lives this way, and she’s determined to keep me alive because someone has to clean out the cat box and she loves me — not necessarily in that order. One of the icons of the silver screen, Bette Davis, once said, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.” She worked until the end of her life, as did Betty White. They both had the inner strength to keep themselves up and to keep going. Today, people are taking better care of themselves than ever before, and the ways to do it keep evolving. There must be a new exercise craze every few months these days. (See aforementioned trekking poles). You have to find a way to get interested in something. Keeping up with my wife is all the motivation I personally need. You have to find your own, and stick with it.

Dr. Barton Goldsmith is an award-winning psychotherapist and humanitarian. He is also the author of eight books and a blogger for PsychologyToday. com with more than 34 million readers. He is available for video consults worldwide.Reach him at barton@bartongoldsmith.com. His column appears Saturdays and Mondays in the News-Press. Follow his daily insights at www. twitter.com/BartonGoldsmith.