Perhaps "The Maltese Falcon" is not the greatest detective story ever filmed. But it is hard to find a better one, and much harder to find a more enjoyable movie to watch.
One could say that "The Maltese Falcon" is full
of cliches. But since the film defines the genre,
perhaps the real cliches are from the later,
derivative films. While the characters may never
transcend their well-defined caricatures, it is
hard to complain when the cast is so strong, the
dialogue so crisp, and the characters themselves
are so interesting.
"The Maltese Falcon" is a legendary
jewel-encrusted statue, priceless but long since
lost. Humphrey Bogart plays a private eye who
gradually gets caught up in the search for the
relic. He is not alone, as Sydney Greenstreet,
Peter Lorre, Mary Astor, and Elisha Cook Jr. are
also involved. All of the latter are ruthless,
and will kill if necessary to obtain the Falcon.
Bogart's is the central character. He is always
wise to the situation, cynical to the core, and
always on top. He is blessed with a personal
secretary who will do anything and everything
without questioning why.
He is first hired by Astor, a femme fatale whose
story changes with every scene, and apparently is
incapable of telling the truth. Soon, his partner
is murdered and police detectives are turning up
the heat. As Lorre, Greenstreet and Cook enter
the picture, Bogart has to play a dangerous hand,
trying to stay alive and out of jail while
locating the Falcon and (naturally) taking a
share of the profits.
Peter Lorre is one of my all-time favorite
character actors. He has a terrific nasal voice
and accent. He delivers my favorite line from the
film, "You dirty filthy liar you!" It cracks me
up every time I hear it.
"The Maltese Falcon" was released in 1941, the
same year as "Citizen Kane", and one year before
"Casablanca", another Warner Brothers production
that also had Bogart, Lorre and Greenstreet. The
1940s had so many great films, almost all of them
filmed in black and white. They knew how to make
'em back then: emphasize cast, script and story,
and never mind the stunts and special effects.
(92/100)
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