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.
This is arguably the high-water mark of Hollywood's love affair with the infinitely slippery possibilities of the English language.
– Tom Huddleston,
Time Out,
24 Jun 2006
fresh:
What you remember here are moments.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
18 Jul 2008
fresh:
Brittle Chandler characters have been transferred to the screen with punch by Howard Hawks' production and direction, providing full load of rough, tense action most of the way.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
18 Jul 2008
fresh:
The Big Sleep, though, is witty and sinister, and in an odd way is a realistic portrayal of big-city life with Arabian Nights overtones.
– Manny Farber,
The New Republic,
30 Aug 2012
fresh:
The Big Sleep is wakeful fare for folks who don't care what is going on, or why, so long as the talk is hard and the action harder.