The Long Goodbye

A 1973 American neo-noir film directed by Robert Altman and written by Leigh Brackett, based on Raymond Chandler's 1953 novel. The story relocates the classic detective Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) from the 1940s to the contemporary 1970s Los Angeles. Marlowe assists his friend Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton) in fleeing to Mexico, only to learn that Terry's wife has been murdered and Terry is presumed to have committed suicide. Doubting the official narrative, Marlowe embarks on his own investigation. Concurrently, he is hired by Eileen Wade (Nina van Pallandt) to find her husband, Roger Wade (Sterling Hayden), a writer battling alcoholism who frequently disappears. As Marlowe delves deeper, he encounters gangster Marty Augustine (Mark Rydell), who demands the return of money entrusted to Terry. The investigation uncovers a complex web of deceit, betrayal, and murder involving those close to Marlowe. The film is noted for its unconventional take on the noir genre, blending satire and social commentary with distinctive visual style and a recurring musical theme presented in various arrangements throughout the film.