A REAL CLASSIC FOR THE CLASSICALLY MINDED : "THE BIG SLEEP"

Confession time. I have a major soft spot for the classics. You know what I’m talking about, black and white film, old world Hollywood glamour… I mean as you may have gathered by now I enjoy a lot of things cinematically speaking but nothing really beats settling down with an old favorite – preferably with a hot drink, something sweet to go with it and your other half or good friends nearby to share the experience – of an evening and just getting lost in the experience. This is what I did with The Big Sleep last night. I mean ok, technically I was alone in my dorm room but green tea was involved so I reckon that counts…
Those of you a little more involved in the history of films may know that The Big Sleep directed by Howard Hawks is pointed out in textbooks as one of the best examples of classic Hollywood cinema. And starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, really, how could the film be anything except brilliant? The good thing about these movies is that even if you have, technically, seen it a million times before, they’re still good. This one is no exception to that rule; Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) is a private eye based in L.A. He’s an ex-cop, kicked off the force for insubordination but brilliant at his work. One day a wealthy General hires him to get to the bottom of a blackmail case. But the deeper into the case he gets the more dead bodies seem to pile up. Plus, it seems that the General’s lovely daughter Vivian (Lauren Bacall) is also mixed up in this whole dastardly affair, making the whole affair deadlier and more dangerous than ever…
I must say, the film can’t be faulted on tension or acting. Bacall and Bogart are absolutely electric, and if you let your sympathies and your love of the genre get in the way of artistic temperament for a second you will see that the cuts that don’t quite match, the (by our standards) incredibly unrealistic backdrops and even the slightly stilted acting style that pervades the whole film (it was 1946 don’t forget) don’t matter at all. No sir, not one little bit. And to be fair, the film has quite a few redeeming features. For starters the story. Not only is it absolutely and mind-blowingly exciting, it is also sophisticated. And in places complicated. To the point that Bogart’s “in case you didn’t get that” explanations to random characters in the film actually come very welcome indeed. So if nothing else you will put some serious effort into following it. Then there is Bogart’s character who is charismatic (well when isn’t he), witty and always ready with a snappy answer, will undoubtedly regale you (and make you a might weak at the knees). As for the legendary Bacall – Bogart chemistry, all I can say children is that it is legendary for a reason. Yep, this is definitely good quality Saturday night entertainment. Keep for a rainy night; and enjoy!