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The Long Goodbye

The Long Goodbye

Mystery · Crime · Comedy · 1973

In 1970s Hollywood, Detective Philip Marlowe tries to help a friend who is accused of murdering his wife.

Movie details

The Long Goodbye

“Nothing says goodbye like a bullet…”

1973 Mystery · Crime · Comedy 1h 52m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.4 / 10

Community rating

In 1970s Hollywood, Detective Philip Marlowe tries to help a friend who is accused of murdering his wife.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Long Goodbye?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

After the Thin Man

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The Thin Man

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The Big Sleep

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Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood regarding a matter involving his youngest daughter Carmen. Before the complex case is over, Marlowe sees murder, blackmail, deception, and what might be love.

Blue Velvet

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Mystery · 1986

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L.A. Confidential

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Narc

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Narcotics Sergeant Nick Tellis, on leave after a trauma, is called back to investigate the murder of fellow undercover operative Michael Calvess, joined by the victim's unpredictable and brutal ex-partner, Henry Oak. Working together in the back alleys of Detroit, Tellis and Oak delve into a dark investigation that leads them to uncover shocking secrets and question the corruption and morality within the department, encountering unorthodox methods and a brutal truth about Calvess's death.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

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A petty thief posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl and a detective who's been training him for his upcoming role...

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Crooked House

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A psychic doctor, John Clancy, works with an FBI special agent in search of a serial killer.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Robert Altman

Written by

Leigh Brackett

Elliott Gould

Elliott Gould

Philip Marlowe

Nina van Pallandt

Nina van Pallandt

Eileen Wade

Sterling Hayden

Sterling Hayden

Roger Wade

Mark Rydell

Mark Rydell

Marty Augustine

Henry Gibson

Henry Gibson

Dr. Verringer

David Arkin

David Arkin

Harry

Jim Bouton

Jim Bouton

Terry Lennox

Court is in session

Put The Long Goodbye on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.