The Maltese Falcon 1941
Somehow I had never seen this movie, though I had definitely seen parts of it (rented it from Netflix in 2007, I wonder if I actually watched it?), and of course clips since it is so famous. It is a great detective movie, with Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade as the template for all private detectives that followed. There are a number of very strong characters that add to the film, all lying about what they know and what is really happening. These are well written characters in the way they act and in how they interact with one another. The romance doesn’t make that much sense, but it is still fun to watch. And everything ties up neatly at the end, though maybe not as expected. Avoiding the easiest path makes the movie more rewarding and had to be something of a risk, but one that pays off. Great acting, writing, characters, and shot perfectly by John Huston directing his first movie.
Written: 03 Jan 2021