It is said that often movies become classics because they somehow accrue talent. A star signs on, like Humphrey Bogart, and other interesting actors jump in, and magic happens.
Then you've got something like the Brasher Doubloon, which has a serviceable lead and a mixed bag of supporting characters. You can see interesting elements and some good performances, but things just don't quite gel.
Montgomery is fine as Marlowe. For me the only true Marlowe was Robert Mitchum, who is what I expect from the books - Bogart is great, but he still wasn't my idea of Marlowe. So I don't look at Montgomery and find him inherently wrong for the part. But he doesn't bring much to it.
Florence Bates, on the other hand, would slot into a better Chandler movie, and Nancy Guild, whoever she is, retains a nice jittery-ness even if the character feels a little all over the place.
There are also some good bit players, like the guy with one messed-up eye. Don't know who he is, but he nails it.
The story is okay, but not exceptional. The dialogue is generally okay, but unmemorable. But this is all generally enjoyable and it feels like if you could have just made a tweak here and there you might have had something genuinely good.
It's not a great Marlowe movie, but certainly if you're into Chandler it's worth taking a look.
Then you've got something like the Brasher Doubloon, which has a serviceable lead and a mixed bag of supporting characters. You can see interesting elements and some good performances, but things just don't quite gel.
Montgomery is fine as Marlowe. For me the only true Marlowe was Robert Mitchum, who is what I expect from the books - Bogart is great, but he still wasn't my idea of Marlowe. So I don't look at Montgomery and find him inherently wrong for the part. But he doesn't bring much to it.
Florence Bates, on the other hand, would slot into a better Chandler movie, and Nancy Guild, whoever she is, retains a nice jittery-ness even if the character feels a little all over the place.
There are also some good bit players, like the guy with one messed-up eye. Don't know who he is, but he nails it.
The story is okay, but not exceptional. The dialogue is generally okay, but unmemorable. But this is all generally enjoyable and it feels like if you could have just made a tweak here and there you might have had something genuinely good.
It's not a great Marlowe movie, but certainly if you're into Chandler it's worth taking a look.