FAREWELL, MY LOVELY

US, 1975, 95 minutes, Colour.
Robert Mitchum, Charlotte Rampling, John Ireland, Sylvia Miles, Anthony Zerbe.
Directed by Dick Richards.

Raymond Chandler's often-portrayed private eye, Philip Marlowe, is now the ageing and laconic Robert Mitchum. An easy performance in the Mitchum style. But the value of the film as a highly entertaining thriller is the evocation of the 30s/40s in expertly dreary colour photography of seedy locations and the milieu of urban corruption and crime. The film's central interest is in plot and character and only secondarily in social comment. Charlotte Rampling does an effective takeoff of the Lauren Bacall style femme fatale and Sylvia Miles is excellent an alcoholic widow. The film pleases because of its devotion to the genre and its evocation of the heyday of the thriller.

1. Raymond Chandler's reputation, Philip Marlowe's? The background of the novels, the forties' versions of Phillip Marlowe's mysteries? The seventies versions? How successful was this one in this context?

2. The importance of the private-eye tradition, its conventions? How well were they presented here: the atmosphere of the city, the settings the sleazy atmosphere of city life, the independent private-eye, his weariness, background with the police and relations to them, the clients and their jobs, the mystery lady, tough situations, danger and mystery? The voiceover comment and its style?

3. The suitability of Robert Mitchum for this role? What did he give to it? The Los Angeles settings. especially during the credits with the music? The use of the city throughout? The characters within this environment, the nature of the puzzle? The emphasis on 'My Velma '?

4. The effectiveness of the flashback technique: Marlowe's introduction to himself, the emphasis on age and tiredness? Marlowe presented as independent, his linguistic style his hardness in his job, the soft spots, a just man, saying that he was in it for the money? His attitude towards his newsvendor friend? His attitude towards the police? A credible private eye?

5. The picture of the police: the link up with Grayle and corruption, Nolte and his friendship with Marlowe, Nolte as a character with his dedication wariness about sticking his neck out. the contrast with Billy and his brutality and his being on the take, Nolte's capacity for listening? The nature of police interrogations? Nolte's loyalty to Marlowe and his helping eventually? The pros and cons of the police system? The Commissioner? Political influence the good and the corrupt? (Their hats).

6. The presentation of Marlowe on the job, his description of getting the girl back for her parents, the encounter with Moose, the attempt on his life, the puzzle?

7. How was Moose a key character? Looking like a character from a comic. his explanation of his robbery and prison background his size and impact the way that he talked? His loyalty to 'My Velma'? The mystery of his reappearances? The attempt on his life, especially at the motel? His continued love for Velma, the impact of the discovery, her continuing to manipulate him, his being killed by her without being disillusioned?

8. The mystery of Marriott as a client, the arrangement and setup, Marlowe's being tricked, Marriott's death? The linkup with the solution?

9. The character of Tommy Ray, his background, wife and son? His deceiving Marlowe with the photo (and Marlowe's visit to the asylum?) Tommy Ray's death, Marlowe's softness towards his son especially at the end?

10. The characterization of Jessie Florian? The details of her character, memories of her past and her show business background, her drinking, entertaining of Marlowe and liking him, her help, the brutality of her murder?

11. The encounter with Frances Amthor, her brutality, the way she ran the brothel, her interrogation? Her vengeance with the drugs, Marlowe's experience with the drugs, his nightmares and their visualization, Tommy Ray's death? His encounter with Frances Amthor and her death by Johnny's hand? The sordid atmosphere of Los Angeles?

12. What were immediate impressions of Helen Grierle? The type, her husband and marriage for money, her sexuality and sensuality, her power, her hold over Marlowe, manipulating him, the background of city politics, the people at the party, her friends, Brunette, her status and what it meant for her?

13. The build-up to the showdown, Brunette and his yacht, the discovery of Velma and the shootout?

14. How appropriate was the ending? How did the conventions build up and give an impression of excellence?

15. Themes of justice, guilt, the individual, honesty, society, police and political power?