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Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you buy your ticket?
- Fandango
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Harper Photos

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Movie Info

Struggling private eye Lew Harper (Paul Newman) takes a simple missing-person case that quickly spirals into something much more complex. Elaine Sampson (Lauren Bacall), recently paralyzed in a horse-riding accident, wants Harper to find her missing oil baron husband, but her tempestuous teenage stepdaughter Miranda (Pamela Tiffin) thinks Mrs. Sampson knows more than she's letting on. The film is based on Ross Macdonald's 1949 mystery "The Moving Target," featuring private eye Lew Archer.

Genre:

mystery and thriller
Original Language:

English
Director:

Jack Smight
Producer:

Carlo Ponti
Writer:

Peter Ustinov
Release Date (Streaming):

May 1, 2012
Runtime:

2h 1m
Production Co:

Warner Brothers/Seven Arts

Cast & Crew

Paul Newman
Lew Harper

Lauren Bacall
Mrs. Sampson

Shelley Winters
Fay Estabrook

Julie Harris
Betty Fraley

Robert Wagner
Allan Taggert

Janet Leigh
Susan Harper

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Harper

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (18)

By combining flamboyant suspense with a sunbaked slice of life and lots of good mean fun, Director Smight makes every clue a pleasure to follow.

September 30, 2008 | Full Review…

TIME Magazine
Director Jack Smight has inserted countless touches which illuminate each character to the highest degree.

September 30, 2008 | Full Review…

Variety Staff
Variety
Enjoyable performances throughout. Just the same, a very minor Big Sleep.

February 9, 2006 | Full Review…

Derek Adams
Time Out
[Newman] is too fresh, too ruggedly good looking to be consistent as the sort of beat-up slob that his shady detective is intended to be and as Mr. Bogart used to be.

May 9, 2005 | Full Review…

Bosley Crowther
New York Times
Quote not available.

September 17, 2004 | Rating: 4/5

Nell Minow
Movie Mom
The Drowning Pool plods along while Harper's pacing has a lot more momentum. Harper is hip and The Drowning Pool takes itself too seriously.

January 28, 2019 | Full Review…

Raquel Stecher
Out of the Past
A star-driven Paul Newman crime mystery drama.

November 2, 2014 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Supported by colorful characters (played by Lauren Bacall, Shelley Winters, Julie Harris), Paul Newman gives a solid performance in his first private detective role, which catapulted him to major stardom and brought the genre back to the mainstream.

November 27, 2008 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
William Goldman's adaptation of MacDonald's novel -- his first solo screenwriting credit -- is full of rapid-fire dialogue, but some of the characterizations are thin.

September 30, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

TV Guide
Harper shows the actor to good advantage, Newman's nonchalant demeanor well suiting the character of the PI.

December 29, 2006 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

John J. Puccio
Movie Metropolis
Quote not available.

October 10, 2005 | Rating: 3/5

Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)
Quote not available.

September 20, 2005 | Rating: 4/5

Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

View All Critic Reviews (18)

Audience Reviews for Harper

Aug 14, 2011

No more no less than a sixties update on Philip Marlowe, with dinner theater lines given good location shooting. The mystery is only a matter of eliminating the obvious which leaves the charisma of the actors involved to carry the piece. Newman has fun as Mar ... er ... the gumshoe. Bacall is no longer the rich man's daughter but now his disgruntled wife although essentially the same character. Strother Martin as a cult leader is without a doubt just a fun casting choice.

Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
Jan 27, 2011

A predictable detective story enriched by Paul Newman's stylish performance :P A few minutes into it and you'd probably know who the perpetrator is.

familiar s Super Reviewer
Sep 05, 2010

This is a spy movie where everyone is a criminal, everyone! I bet you can guess the end just by knowing that. Now, what's the point in seeing this? I wish I hadn't wasted the time. Overall, it's not bad, it's just not good either.

Aj V Super Reviewer
Jan 18, 2010

Just an amazing movie. It's got a great blend of comedy and suspense. Paul Newman gives a great performance as Harper, the world's greatest private eye. It's got a great plot that is both fun and intelligent. I think my favorite element is the above-average cinematography and attention to detail. It's not just another detective story, it's a very unique and unforgettable character piece.

Conner R Super Reviewer