The Long Goodbye
1973, Crime/Drama, 1h 52m
53 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
An ice-cold noir that retains Robert Altman's idiosyncratic sensibilities, The Long Goodbye ranks among the smartest and most satisfying Marlowe mysteries. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Private detective Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) is asked by his old buddy Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton) for a ride to Mexico. He obliges, and when he gets back to Los Angeles is questioned by police about the death of Terry's wife. Marlowe remains a suspect until it's reported that Terry has committed suicide in Mexico. Marlowe doesn't buy it but takes a new case from a beautiful blond, Eileen Wade (Nina van Pallandt), who coincidentally has a past with Terry.
Cast & Crew
Elliott Gould
Philip Marlowe
Philip Marlowe
Nina van Pallandt
Eileen Wade
Eileen Wade
Sterling Hayden
Roger Wade
Roger Wade
Mark Rydell
Marty Augustine
Marty Augustine
Henry Gibson
Dr. Verringer
Dr. Verringer
David Arkin
Harry
Harry
Critic Reviews for The Long Goodbye
Audience Reviews for The Long Goodbye
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Nov 16, 2020Director Robert Altman, screenwriter Leigh Brackett and actor Elliot Gould take the iconic Phillip Marlowe character and interpret him in a way that unnerved many fans of the character invented by author Raymond Chandler. But, I thought it was a 1970s homage to the 1940s/50s detective. The film's murder mystery isn't nearly as interesting as the film's vibe. Vilmos Zsigmond's restless camera and Altman's sound design create a mesmerizing world.Aldo G Super Reviewer
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Feb 02, 2019Imagine walking down a riotous Bourbon Street in New Orleans one blurry Mardi Gras evening after having had a few, the riotous crowds, the slick cobblestone streets, the pushing and shoving, the humid air full of that phony party laughter, and you'll get the sense Robert Altman and Elliot Gould convey in their 1970's spin on 1940's detective Philip Marlowe, which is kinda cool actually. The fact that very little of what's going on makes any kind of real sense seems to be annoyingly quibble-some - just hang on. Seldom not interesting.Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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Aug 29, 2014An intricate film noir satire that has all the elements that we expect from a Raymond Chandler story, only this time the protagonist of The Big Sleep is updated to the 1970s with a shocker in the end and a delicious melancholy song that will stay in your head for a long time.Carlos M Super Reviewer
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May 12, 2014Elliot Gould as Philip Marlowe is one smug dude. This juicy piece of film noir is shot from the perspective a laissez faire, anachronistic detective trying to unpack the mystery of a friend's death. The plot can often seem as lazy as Gould's demeanor, but by the time we get to the end of what has become a revenge flick, viewers realize they have been led along mazily into a conclusive and tidy plot-twist of an ending. Solid stuff from Robert Altman.Jeff L Super Reviewer
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