Hey guess what. My favourite genre. New Year. Double Features. This groups was (is) dead. New Ranking System ie A+, A, A-, B+ ect. Noir Week. Go. Considered by many to be the finest of this genre, and the literal epitome of everything that embodies noir as a whole, we have a film I (surprisingly) was engaged by throughout. No it is not a 90 minute lullaby. The Big Sleep has it all, Guns, Dames and Bogart, all rolled up into one tight little package that is fun because there is no plot. Now Ive had people, (who used to be) criticise Pulp Fiction for not being about anything, but this film really personifies that fear. Is there a plot? No. God no. I had no idea what was going on and I can follow 2001: A Space Odyssey half asleep. But thats not the point. Noir is surely about crimes and resolutions, but more so about its characters, their fears, their dreams. A good noir doesnt need to get wrapped up in the folds of insurance documents or the tender hands of a femme fatale, but can roll along and provide ample entertainment regardless of if there is indeed a plot, or not. The Big Sleep delivers on all counts- a dark, handsome Bogart (whose charm is perhaps even a little insultingly effective given how easily he swoons ANYTHING throughout) battling the forces of whoever [cares] with a fancy fedora on his head and blazing 451 in his hand. The girls come thick (oi), the bullets rain down, and thats what its all about- no need for deep motifs or metaphors here- a tight script, great direction and stylistic bliss is all we need. 7- The Big Sleep certainly isnt easy going for anyone accustomed to the modern climate of film with each picture a 3 course meal force fed by spoon as if we were all toddlers who dont know what a gat is (some cases a gorging feast that never sodding ends *cough* Jackson *cough*) it holds up, and is pretty damn enjoyable for me, anyways. I love this movie. I love its gorgeous opening titles lazily drifting dreamlike to set the tone sailing high above the audiences heads, I love Bogarts classy detective, the direction, the visuals and of course the stingingly snappy script- Im telling you this because grading movies isnt going to be as easy going as before. B+ (No.39)
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:08:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015