Despite what many assert, this proves to be a genuinely strong murder mystery and private investigator narrative in the classic mold. The execution feels appropriate for a story centered around Philip Marlowe. This type of tale shouldn’t involve excessive action sequences, displays of extreme violence, or any of the other elements that Hollywood—and perhaps younger viewers—seem to believe every film requires. D…

I've seen several films adapted from Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe stories, and none of them have really impressed me, even with actors I generally enjoy watching. This one felt like the others. I’m a fan of Liam Neeson; he’s made some lesser movies worthwhile. However, he either wasn't able to or didn't get the chance to bring that same energy to this film. The characters don’t speak softly, but they come acr…