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Title: One of the greats of the greats.
Review: It's ironic to read critiques of this classic film which cite, in one sentence that the plot is too difficult to follow (Leonard Maltin's nostalgic trivia of even Raymond Chandler losing track of who committed one of the less crucial murders is so often pedantically referenced by those wanting to sound learned in their criticism), and then lambaste the movie for lacking in story. The Big Sleep is a proliferation of plot such as would befit the Baroque to Bogie noir. It is a one of a kind, in combining sophistication in acting, scripting and plotting with brutish 50's noir stylings and then to top off the Bogie Hoagie, a sincere romantic sentimentality. Don't believe the (negative) hype. If you've grown up beyond the 6-minute MTV attention span and have a taste for hard-boiled 50's noir, then it's one you'll want on the shelf.
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