James Caan plays an ageing Philip Marlowe, private eye, in this decent-quality TV movie, adapted from Raymond Chandler's last novel. Moodily directed by Bob Rafelson and atmospheric with it, the film does lack an edge of danger, as Marlowe, now pushing 60, gets framed for murder and involved in a sleazy blackmail racket. It's not so much a film noir as a film gris, as Marlowe mellows into later life with a wealthy wife (snappily played by Dina Meyer) in the sunshine of Poodle Springs, California. This Marlowe, as wearily portrayed by Caan, is less likeable than the one played by Dick Powell, Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum, but he does have a good gallery of shady characters to deal with, played by such expert actors as Brian Cox, David Keith, Nia Peeples and Joe Don Baker. Chandler fans will welcome this poodle, even if it could do with a sharper bite.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes