She’s truly something else. Hammett tells the story of Dashiell Hammett, the celebrated author, portrayed by Frederic Forrest. The film depicts the writer having left his job at the Pinkerton Detective Agency and dealing with lung problems and a fondness for alcohol. When an old friend, Jimmy Ryan (Peter Boyle), seeks him out, Hammett gets drawn into Frisco’s Chinatown, finding himself deeply involved in unpleasantness. The history behind making *Hammett* is lengthy and disheartening, but it makes for interesting reading if you look it up. The film we're seeing now isn’t necessarily the one originally planned by director Wim Wenders, yet with each viewing, it reveals itself to be a heartfelt tribute to the golden age of film noir—a movie displaying considerable skill and ingenuity. It does have its flaws though... The production quality is high; the set design that recreates late 1920s San Francisco is wonderful, as is Joseph Biroc’s vibrant color photography. John Barry contributes a musical score that gently accompanies scenes in bars and back alleys, and the costumes are spot on. The cast is led exceptionally well by the underrated Forrest, with Marilu Henner (Biroc's lighting of her is remarkable), Boyle, and Lydia Lei all hitting the right notes for a film noir style, while numerous brief appearances from actors recognizable from other films will delight those who pay close attention. The plot is intricate, deliberately enhanced by narration, tilted camera angles, dark shadows, swirling smoke, and various locations that any brooding detective would need to visit to solve the mystery lurking beneath the city’s gritty exterior. The film's shortcomings are noticeable; the revisions throughout leave a disappointing impact. It also feels like watching a stage production—the largely studio-bound filming and somewhat stiff delivery of lines contribute to an artificial feel. Despite all this, there’s considerable affection for noir evident here, enough that viewers who appreciate that genre will likely find repeated viewings worthwhile. 7/10

Source on TMDB