Rent Marlowe (2022)

A real let down - Marlowe review by sb

FILM & REVIEW Neil Jordan’s first film in several years and I really wanted to like it but unfortunately it’s not very good. Neesan plays the titular private eye in late ‘30’s LA. In classic noir fashion he is hired by mysterious blonde (Kruger)to find her errant missing lover but of course she has other ulterior motives and Marlowe finds himself deep into corrupt film studios, high class brothels, narcotics and Mexican hoods. Neesan is way too old for the role ( something the script acknowledges) but the films biggest issue for all the plot twists and reveals in never engages….at no point are you remotely interested in where it’s all going. Things aren’t helped by Neesan who seems not only bored with the plot but with the film itself - something that is conveyed to the audience which really is a fatal flaw. On the plus side there are some nice supporting turns -Jessica Lange as a has been actress who still has her wits about her, Donald Huston as a suave club owner and a very arch Alan Cummins but none of this can save the film - a real letdown - 2/5

An enjoyable but not particularly demanding Noire themed film, with style to spare - Marlowe review by Timmy B

Having never watched a Noire thriller before, but instead played LA Noire, a computer game which unashamedly takes many of the themes, I was interested to see what this film would hold. Plus, the fact it was directed by Neil Jordan & starred Liam Neeson was also a strong selling point. 

As a film, I always enjoyed what was on screen, but it was never anything more than a fairly gentle paced story with a few curveballs thrown in. The recreation of LA in the 30’s was perfectly done, which is even more staggering when you consider all the outdoor scenes were shot in Spain. A huge number of the clichés which were associated with the Noire crime drama are present & correct, but are never shoehorned in, sitting instead comfortably within the narrative. The film is also a lot less violent than I was expecting. 

But it was only ever average. The story is a shallow as a kids swimming pool & if you are looking for deep meaning or profound scenes, then you’re watching the wrong film. This is a perfectly serviceable, relatively inoffensive hour 40 of watching different talented actors interact with each other, with some good staging & locations. 

Maybe just not for me - but a bit on the tedious side - Marlowe review by JD

Nothing against the acting, that was top notch (Jessica Lange is superb as ever) but the film was just, well, i guess for a very specific type of viewer.

Thankfully they didnt stretch it out as is often the case these days so it doesnt over stay its welcome. But it might be worth considering not even letting it in in the first place.