Gina Johnson
The Big Sleep is a 1946 film noir directed by Howard Hawks and adapted from Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name. The film is renowned for its convoluted plot, which some viewers find confusing and challenging to follow. The complexity of the storyline has been attributed to various factors, including the chemistry between the lead actors, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and the need to navigate censorship restrictions during the film's production. The plot's twists and turns keep the audience engaged, contributing to the film's enduring popularity as a classic example of film noir.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plot | Convoluted, confusing, and hard to follow |
| Tone | Moody, twisting, cynical, and atmospheric |
| Characters | Marlowe, Vivian Rutledge, Carmen, Joe Brody, Sean Regan, Eddie Mars, Owen Taylor, Arthur Geiger |
| Themes | Blackmail, pornography, murder, corruption, debauchery |
| Production | Delayed due to Bogart's drinking and his divorce from Mayo Methot, constant changes during production, no finalized script during filming |
| Reception | Considered a great movie despite the plot holes, confusing, memorable scenes and vibes |
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What You'll Learn
The plot of the 1946 film is considered confusing
The plot of the 1946 film "The Big Sleep" is considered confusing, with some viewers finding it convoluted and challenging to follow. The film, based on Raymond Chandler's novel of the same name, has a twisting plot filled with blackmail, pornography, murder, and the amoral decadence of the wealthy. The story centres around private detective Philip Marlowe, played by Humphrey Bogart, and his investigation of a blackmail scheme, which leads to multiple murders.
The film's plot is so intricate that even the screenwriters, including William Faulkner, Leigh Brackett, and Jules Furthman, were reportedly confused and consulted Chandler for clarification. However, some have disputed this claim, stating that only the director, Howard Hawks, and Bogart corresponded with Chandler. The plot's complexity may have been exaggerated over the years, and it is believed that the screenwriters did not struggle to understand it.
The film's delayed release, due to Bogart's drinking and personal issues, may have contributed to the perception of a convoluted plot. During the delay, Bogart and co-star Lauren Bacall, who plays Vivian Rutledge, got married, and reshoots were done to capitalise on their popularity as a couple. The additional scenes focused on the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall, adding more banter and repartee between their characters, which some viewers found distracting from the plot.
The plot's complexity may also be attributed to the constant changes during production, as there was no finalised script due to rewrites aimed at appeasing censorship boards and excluding sexual themes. The wartime context of its production also influenced certain elements, such as female characters taking on traditionally male occupations due to the draft.
Despite the confusing plot, "The Big Sleep" is considered a classic film noir, renowned for its moody atmosphere, snappy dialogue, and the on-screen chemistry between Bogart and Bacall.
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The plot of the original novel is also confusing
The plot of the 1946 film noir *The Big Sleep* is considered confusing and convoluted. The film, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, is based on Raymond Chandler's novel of the same name, and Chandler also wrote the screenplay. However, the plot is so confusing that even Chandler himself couldn't identify the murderer when asked about it later. The plot involves blackmail, pornography, and multiple murders, and the characters' motivations and relationships are complex and unclear. For example, it is never explained why Carmen (General Sternwood's daughter) got involved with Joe Brody, or how she is connected to Arthur Geiger, whose murder is a central mystery in the film.
The film's plot is so convoluted that it has been described as a "labyrinth", with one reviewer stating that they couldn't tell what the film was about even after watching it twice. The complexity of the plot may be due in part to the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall, which led to more scenes of banter between their characters, Marlowe and Vivian, and added to the moody atmosphere of the film. However, this may have also contributed to the confusion of the plot, as the focus shifted from the mystery to the relationship between the two characters.
The plot of the novel, while also complex, may have been even more confusing than the film. The film adaptation made some changes to the story, and the ending was different from that of the book. The novel is known for its dense narrative web, which even the filmmakers struggled to unpack. In fact, the screenwriters had to consult Chandler to try and clarify the plot, but even he couldn't provide clear answers to their questions. This indicates that the plot of the original novel is inherently confusing and open to interpretation.
The convoluted nature of the plot may also be due in part to the censorship of the time. The film had to navigate the strict rules of the Hays Code, which prohibited the inclusion of sexual themes. As a result, the filmmakers may have had to alter the plot or leave certain elements unexplained to comply with these restrictions. This could have contributed to the overall complexity and confusion of the plot, as certain narrative threads may have been left unresolved or changed in ways that made them more difficult to follow.
Overall, the plot of *The Big Sleep*, both in the novel and the film adaptation, is notoriously confusing and convoluted, with complex characters, motivations, and relationships that are difficult to untangle.
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The film's wartime production influenced the plot
The wartime setting of "The Big Sleep" is integral to the plot, with several references to wartime occurrences. The film's release was delayed by Warner Bros. until after the war ended, as they wanted to release war films while the topic was still relevant. The film's plot was influenced by the war in several ways.
Firstly, the character of Marlowe's car has a "B" gasoline rationing sticker, indicating he is allowed the maximum amount of gasoline for a civilian during World War II: eight gallons. This detail is a subtle nod to the war and the government-imposed rationing of gasoline.
Secondly, the film includes a female taxi driver, reflecting how women took on traditionally male occupations during the war due to the draft. This detail adds to the film's authenticity and reflects the social changes that occurred during the war.
Another indication of the film's wartime setting is the use of period dialogue and pictures of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The presence of these details helps to ground the film in the context of World War II and the post-war era.
Furthermore, the film's plot and characters are influenced by the war. Marlowe, the tough detective, is a product of his time, and his interactions with female characters reflect the societal changes brought about by the war. The plot also incorporates wartime rationing, with dead bodies being referred to as "red points", a reference to meat rationing during the war.
The wartime setting of "The Big Sleep" adds depth to the characters and the plot, with the film incorporating subtle references to reflect the historical context in which it is set.
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The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall influenced the plot
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are considered an iconic screen pairing of classic Hollywood. They starred in several films together, including To Have and Have Not (1944), The Big Sleep (1946), Dark Passage (1947), and Key Largo (1948).
The on-screen chemistry between Bogart and Bacall was immediate and dynamic, with a natural yet fiery quality that was enhanced by their off-screen romantic relationship. Their first film together, To Have and Have Not, was also the beginning of their real-life romance. On set, Bacall was so nervous that she pressed her chin against her chest, faced the camera, and tilted her eyes upward, creating an effect that became known as "The Look". Bogart, who was unhappily married at the time, began a romantic relationship with Bacall several weeks into shooting.
In The Big Sleep, Bogart and Bacall's chemistry is evident in the back-and-forth between their characters, which is described as "exciting" and "dynamic". The plot of the film is famously convoluted, with a twisting, confusing narrative that some critics found difficult to follow. However, the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall, along with the style and mood of the film, made it a memorable and influential noir detective story.
The success of their on-screen partnership led to Bacall being cast in three more films with Bogart: Dark Passage, Key Largo, and a third film that solidified her status as an icon of film noir, The Big Sleep. In Dark Passage, their chemistry is noted to have elevated the film, despite the traditional romance taking a backseat to the film's crime themes.
The Big Sleep is considered a classic movie and one of the best films ever made, despite its convoluted plot. The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall, along with their strong individual performances, contributed significantly to the film's success and its status as a timeless classic.
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The film's censorship influenced the plot
The 1946 film adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel *The Big Sleep* is known for its convoluted plot. The film's producer, Howard Hawks, and his writing team, which included William Faulkner, Leigh Brackett, and Jules Furthman, grappled with the novel's dense narrative and intricate plotlines. The film underwent constant changes during production, with Hawks and his writers revising the screenplay to navigate censorship restrictions imposed by the Hays Office.
The Hays Office, responsible for enforcing the Motion Picture Production Code, was stringent about excluding sexual themes and prohibiting explicit references to homosexuality. This censorship significantly influenced the plot and character portrayals in *The Big Sleep*. In the novel, the character of A. G. Geiger is a dealer of pornographic material and has a homosexual relationship with Lundgren. To comply with censorship, the film omitted these elements, veiling the sexual orientation of Geiger and Lundgren.
The portrayal of Carmen, another pivotal character, was also altered due to censorship. In the novel, Carmen is explicitly photographed in naked pornographic images while under the influence of drugs, with Geiger as the photographer. To adhere to censorship standards, these elements were toned down in the film, with cryptic references to photographs of Carmen wearing a "Chinese dress" and sitting in a "Chinese chair." Additionally, a scene in the novel where Carmen is nude in Marlowe's bed was replaced with a scene in the film where she appears fully dressed in his apartment.
The convoluted nature of the film's plot has been attributed, in part, to the challenges of adapting Chandler's novel for the screen while navigating censorship restrictions. The plot's complexity, with its intertwining mysteries and numerous characters, contributed to its reputation as one of the most confusing films in cinema. Even the film's creators struggled to unravel certain plotlines, as evidenced by their inquiries to Chandler himself regarding unanswered questions.
Despite the censorship-driven alterations, *The Big Sleep* retained elements of the novel's seedy subjects, including blackmail, pornography, and murder. The film, starring Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as Vivian Rutledge, became a timeless classic of cynicism and debauchery, solidifying its place in the film noir genre.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the 1946 film noir is known for its convoluted plot. The storyline is complicated and confusing to the point that even the screenwriters are rumoured to have been forced to consult Raymond Chandler, the author of the original novel, for advice. However, some claim this is just a myth and that the film's complexity has been exaggerated over the years.
The plot of the film differs from the original novel, with some speculating that this is due to the censorship of the time. The film also had to end differently from the book due to the Hays Office's strict stance on excluding sexual themes. Additionally, the chemistry between the lead actors, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, was so great that more time was dedicated to showcasing their dynamic, which may have contributed to the convoluted nature of the plot.
Yes, the original novel by Raymond Chandler is known for its convoluted and labyrinthine plot. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, and even the author himself is said to have been confused by some aspects of the story.
