MARLOWE (2022, Ireland/Spain/France, 109m, 15) **½
Crime, Mystery
dist. Briarcliff Entertainment (USA), Sky Cinema (UK); pr co. Parallel Film Productions / Hills Productions AIE / Davis-Films; d. Neil Jordan; w. William Monahan, Neil Jordan (based on the novel ‘The Black-Eyed Blonde’ by John Banville and characters created by Raymond Chandler); pr. Colette Aguilar, Mark Fasano, Victor Hadida, Patrick Hibler, Billy Hines, Philip Kim; ph. Xavi Giménez (Colour | 2.39:1); m. David Holmes; ed. Mick Mahon; pd. John Beard; ad. Mani Martínez.
cast: Liam Neeson (Philip Marlowe), Diane Kruger (Clare Cavendish), Jessica Lange (Dorothy Quincannon), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Cedric), Alan Cumming (Lou Hendricks), Danny Huston (Floyd Hanson), Ian Hart (Joe Green), Colm Meaney (Bernie Ohls), Daniela Melchior (Lynn Peterson), François Arnaud (Nico Peterson), Seána Kerslake (Amanda Toxteth), Stella Stocker (Hilda), Michael Strelow (Otis), Patrick Muldoon (Richard Cavendish), Roberto Peralta (Gomez), J.M. Maciá (López), Michael Garvey (Pat the Bartender), David Lifschitz (Chas), Anton Antoniadis (Frederick), Minnie Marx (Madame Cabana).
This disappointing adaptation of John Banville’s continuation novel ‘The Black-Eyed Blonde’ featuring Raymond Chandler’s private eye Philip Marlowe sees the detective, played by Neeson, hired to find the ex-lover of a glamorous heiress (Kruger), daughter of a well-known movie star (Lange). The disappearance is the first twist in a series of bewildering events, and soon Marlowe is embroiled in a deadly investigation and web of lies that he’s determined to bring to light. The plot is considerably muddied and the pacing slow, but worst of all there is no trace of Chandler’s signature wit. The reliable Neeson brings his customary gruffness to Marlowe, but he is too old for the role. Whilst production design and photography are good, Spain, doubling for LA, is no substitute.
