The first thing to know about Marlowe is that it is not based on any of the works of Raymond Chandler, the original writer of the Philip Marlowe stories. This film is based on the 2014 novel by John Banville (written as Benjamin Black) titled The Black-Eyed Blonde.

The movie is written by William Monahan, who won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the Martin Scorsese film, The Departed. It will be directed by Neil Jordan, best known for directing The Crying Game and The End of the Affair. Jordan is known for his use of Irish actors and locales. One of his lesser-known films, Intermission was made in Ireland with an all-Irish cast. This film is no different. The shooting took place primarily in Dublin and Barcelona and had financial support from Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland.

The original Raymond Chandler books introduced us to detective Philip Marlowe. The films followed the same plot lines and their neo-noir style. Marlowe is a hard-nosed, world-weary private detective who often takes cases involving beautiful femme fatales. When people look for the blueprint for modern detective movies such as Chinatown, they need to look no further than the character of Philip Marlowe.

The most well-known actor to portray the character was Humphry Bogart in The Big Sleep. The character has subsequently been played by at least twelve actors including Robert Montgomery (Lady in the Lake), Elliot Gould (The Long Goodbye), and even James Caan (Poodle Springs). The popularity of the character has led to multiple remakes, books, television series, and more.

Marlowe: The Plot

Marlowe follows the titular character as he makes his way through Bay City, California in the 1950s. In typical style, the character finds himself looking for a new case. The case he needs, but may not want, enters his life in the form of the young, beautiful, and expensively dressed Clare Cavendish. She needs Marlowe to help her find her former lover, a man named Nico Peterson.

After taking the case, Marlowe soon realizes that the disappearance of Peterson is only the beginning of what will become a full-blown investigation. What starts as just a missing person case soon grows into a series of strange and overwhelmingly confusing events. It turns out the blonde isn’t all she says she is. In fact, her case is bewilderingly tied to one of the wealthiest families in the city. Marlowe soon learns the lengths the family is willing to go to in order to protect their fortune.

One of the impediments in Marlowe’s way is Cavendish’s mother, Dorothy. She distrusts her daughter and believes that bringing Marlowe into the mix will only complicate things for their family. It is up to the detective to learn the secrets of the family, the real reason behind the disappearance of Nico Peterson, and exactly what Ms. Cavendish might have been thinking when she hired him.

Marlowe will be a new wrinkle in the Philip Marlowe story. Now that the reins have been passed to a new author and screenwriter the detective’s stories may continue.

Marlowe: The Cast

     Parallel Films

The film has cast Liam Neeson (Taken) as Philip Marlowe. The renowned actor is known for playing tough guys on a singular mission. This characteristic could place him among the best actors to portray the tough-as-nails detective.

Clare Cavendish, the always present Marlowe femme fatale will be played by the estimable Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds). Her ability to play a part whose predecessors include the likes of Lauren Bacall has big shoes to fill. However, an actor of her caliber will glide into this role with very little trouble. She’ll need to bring mystery, dark sex appeal, and control that Marlowe will find undeniable. Kruger’s previous films prove her overwhelming abilities.

Clare’s mother Dorothy Cavendish will be played by the unparalleled Jessica Lange (American Horror Story). A femme fatale in her own right, Lange brings a lifetime of experience to the role of a cold grand dame. She proved her title of fiery matriarch in the film Titus, where her character put family before everything else.

Rounding out the cast is an impressive who’s who of Hollywood. Director Neil Jordan likes to populate his cast with both actors he has previously worked with (Liam Neeson, Colm Meaney) and a variety of established character actors such as Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!), Danny Huston (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), and Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad).

Release Date

Marlowe debuted in September 2022 at the 70th San Sebastián International Film Festival. Originally meant for a late 2022 release, it will now be released in theaters on February 23.

Everything Else We Know

     Open Road Films

The film promises to be a return to form for a genre that has been watered down over the years. Raymond Chandler’s original novels had their roots in the juicy pulps of their day and the public could not get enough. Bogart brought the Philip Marlowe character to the world. Since then, the concept of the gruff bad boy who can’t help but fall for the hard case has continued to enter the movie-going public.

With Marlowe, we may be seeing the start of a new series for Neeson. Many screenwriters have a detective story in their back pockets just waiting for adaptation. If they play their cards right, Parallel Films could be looking at every studio’s dream: a franchise.