Farewell My Lovely [1975]

This is a workman-like adaptation of the novel by Raymond Chandler. Dimple-chinned Robert Mitchum at 58, an underrated actor with charisma and star appeal, is unfortunately a bit over the hill as Chandler's hard-nosed, realist gumshoe Philip Marlowe, especially when romancing the babes. Still he does a good job and seems almost made for the part.

The main babe that needs romancing here is Charlotte Rampling who plays Helen Grayle, a scheming, trampy, psychopathic, sexy thing on the make for anything she can get. She's the lovely who goes farewell--well, one of them.

Sylvia Miles got a supporting actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Mrs. Florian, one-time show girl turned lush. And Sylvester Stallone, looking almost as young as a choir boy, had a bit part as an anonymous thug. Jack O'Halloran played the very dense and obsessed Moose Malloy with a steady moronic malevolence. John Ireland is the good cop and Harry Dean Stanton the bad one. Kate Murtagh is the madam from hell who likes to throw her considerable weight around.

Comparing this to the original from 1944 entitled "Murder, My Sweet," staring Dick Powell and Claire Trevor, I have to say it is more realistic and edgier, and wonderfully atmospheric, but not as enjoyable, perhaps because Mitchum seems a little dead compared to Powell. But that is entirely the point, as Chandler's intent was to showcase a Philip Marlowe near the end of his tether, a man oppressed with the vileness of life and ready to toss it in.

In either case, the convoluted plot involving the missing "Velma," various Los Angeles dives, dead bodies aplenty, and lots of police and political corruption remains somewhat opaque but still manages to hold our interest.

See this for Robert Mitchum, one of Hollywood's greatest with over a hundred and thirty films to his credit, a man who personified nonchalance on the screen, a guy who felt equally at home in a "B" Western as in a dramatic feature, a man who mesmerized audiences with seeming indifference.


This is an atmospheric masterpiece; Mitchum at his best.   March 11, 2001
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

This is surely Mitchum's best performance. Forget the earlier glamour-boy. Crumpled, aging and seedy but with a heart of gold - Mitchum plays Marlowe with a master's touch. The careful under-playing of the sets and the characters fills the film with a believable atmosphere of corrupt and violent late-thirties Los Angeles. The plot never falters and the twist near the end, when Moose's girlfriend is revealed, is excellent. Charlotte Rampling oozes erotic magnetism and the supporting actors are magnificent, although Jack O'Halloran's "Moose Malloy" seems slightly wooden and Sylvester Stallone is quite forgettable. John Ireland and Harry Dean Stanton portray the 'honest cop' and 'corrupt cop' respectively to perfection; Stanton makes you want to count the cutlery every time he leaves the scene. Sylvia Miles's 'Jessie Florian' - the failed and aging starlet, alcoholic and careless off her dress and appearance, is well played too. All this, plus an excellent score and lots of little subliminal touches, re-create the time and the place so well. Splash in the bourbon, light yet another cigarette, push your hat back on your head, heave a world-weary sigh, close the curtains on the neon lights and the wailing siren - and enjoy.