The Big Sleep (DVD, 2006)

Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. Then, the greatest hotties' sensual chemistry.
Bogie & Bacall is what "Big Sleep," was up to. Last lines first:

Vivian (Bacall): You've forgotten one thing - me.
Philip Marlowe (Bogart): What's wrong with you?
Vivian (Bacall): Nothing you can't fix.

(Do tell! That's the slow burn fired all the way up at the show stopping end. Suave dialogue leaves my chin hanging open, knowing Bacall & Bogie get busy with that fix in real life--married. This film made their romance.

Marlow (Bogart) set a standard for future P.I.s since a generation of guys mimicked his gestures, dangling a cig over their lower lip, lifting crooked eyebrows with a real toothy grimace. Oh & grabbing at his ear while he's thinking. Dir. Howard Hawks had a hand in making the late bloomer (Bogie didn't start acting until 35yo to pay off his dad's debts) a matinee idol. An ordinary enough street-smart private investigator was transformed by 1 film into a fresh brand of movie icon, by the women, & a role model for the men.

"The Big Sleep's" strength is its dialogue & delivery. Especially exchanges between Bogie & Bacall in the 1946 version. This is their major film for becoming recognized as the most sensuous real life lovers among screen actors: Lauren Bacall (Vivian Sternwood Rutledge) & Humphrey Bogart (Philip Marlow). When Raymond Chandler wrote the novel, then William Faulkner co-adapted it, their combustible chemistry was projected through the real emotions of Bacall & Bogart. Whatever happened to men being cunning & suave rather than bullying brutes? Or being funny when dead-pan serious instead of being a lunatic for a laugh? The noire script is finessed in conversation, for instance:

General Sternwood--Vivian's aged father (Charles Waldron): How do you like your brandy, sir?
Marlowe (Bogart): In a glass.

Notice how sparse in number the words are that deliver the punch? The dramatic murder mystery is a cut to the quick comedy because of great writing & great delivery of it, too. Again:

Marlowe (Bogart): "Such a lot of guns around town & so few brains."
(What a slam uttered in a mere 4 seconds!).

Even better in 20 words in 11 seconds:
Agnes Lowzier (Sonia Darrin--a saleswoman): Is Harry there?
Philip Marlowe (Bogart): Yeah, yeah, he's here.
Lowzier: Put him on, will you?
Marlowe: He can't talk to you.
Lowzier: Why?
Marlowe: Because he's dead.

That's why so many critics have called this movie too complex. It's ultra compact. If a whole scene can be done in 11 seconds & the DVD director's cut's 116 minutes, imagine counting the number of slams, seductions, crack-ups & romance moments that are packed within almost 2 hours?

Howard Hawks directed the essential 1946 version & edited scenes that made Bacall's fire flame. Hawks, then Warner, didn't want Bacall being soft & cutesy.

Almost forgot to tell you the plot. Private investigator, Philip Marlowe's hired to follow General Sternwood's younger daughter, Carmen. Seems she's into rough company & dear old Dad fears she's about to harm herself & his family's reputation in the near future. Marlowe's falling in love with the elder daughter, Vivian, who instantly develops a deep-seeded dislike of him. The plot twists & turns when 1 murder follows another murder. It's up to Marlowe to put the pieces together & figure out how to woo Vivian (on & off screen). If he does both he'll reap Vivian & Bacall as rewards. The famous couple's best!