Where's Marlowe

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Miguel Ferrer (still probably best known as the weaselly, overambitious executive in RoboCop and as an FBI agent in Twin Peaks) stars as Joe Boone, the subject of a documentary by two young filmmakers (rap star Mos Def and John Livingston), whose previous film was a three-hour documentary about New York City's drinking water. Now they're following Boone around Los Angeles as he discovers that the man a client has hired him to find--a man the client says is having an affair with his wife--turns out to be his own partner. When his partner quits as a result, the documentarians decide to help Boone out and become his assistants, even as they continue their movie. Then the partner turns up dead... But this plot summary doesn't accurately describe Where's Marlowe?, which is actually a sly comedy that plays off of melodramatic plot turns and detective clichés for off-kilter, low-key humor. Where's Marlowe? manages to merge "mockumentary" and crime drama in a way that is funny but also allows for some surprising moments of melancholy and drama. Much of the movie's success is due to Ferrer, a superb character actor with unglamorous looks but an undeniable charisma. Ferrer doesn't often get a role with as much range as this, and he makes the most of it. Without ever being flashy or indulgent, he makes Boone a funny, multidimensional creation, both absurd and deeply human. Where's Marlowe has a smart script and clever direction, but it's Ferrer that really makes it something to see. Well worth checking out. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

an absurd and quirky delight!.......2003-06-04

What a fun movie! This film takes the private eye genre to an inventively funny new place, where the camera becomes one of the characters and the invisible wall between filmed and film-maker seems to crumble in hilariously surprising ways. With mockumentary seriousness, the film begins with New York water and ends up in LA, where the real star of the movie, Miguel Ferrer, playing the hapless but intrepid private dick "Joe Boone," imagines himself a Phil Marlowe or Sam Spade P.I. knight errant in a world of sleaze, corruption, glitz, glamour, murder, and of course, incompetent independent filmmakers. It's a delightful film, and just a shame that more people haven't even heard of it, much less seen it. Well worth your time to see it!

The Big Sleeper.......2002-06-11

Aside from the witty screenplay, believable psuedo-camera work (you need to see the film to understand this), and neo-realist feel of the film, Miguel Ferrer's acting alone makes this film worthwhile to watch. But Miguel has stepped into a film that is not only a wonderful acting vehicle for him to play with, it is also a funny and refreshing noir drama that is part Richard Linklater (Slacker), part Dashiell Hammet (Maltese Falcon), and part De Sica (Bicycle Thief).

The film reeks of independant film making, and comes away smelling like roses. It's a shame Hollywood did not take more interest in this film, but then perhaps that is what makes Where's Marlowe all the more unique in an era of cinematic cliche and redundancy (How many Lethal Weapons are we up to now?). For all of you John Huston-Raymond Chandler-Double Indemnity fans, this film is a must see. And if you're a little tired of the Hollywood machine that's been churning out the same mindless tripe and sequels nearing the double digits, give Where's Marlowe an opportunity to expand your movie credentials.

Enter Marlowe!.......2002-01-30

A marvelously quirky comedy the likes of which Hollywood should turn out more consistantly! Cult fave Miguel Ferrer (currently starring in NBC's 'Crossing Jordan') turns in an exceptional performance as Boone, an L.A. private detective followed around by two film students in this hilarious mockumentary. When Boone's partner suddenly turns up involved in one of the cases, the private eye reluctantly accepts assistance from the two students ... trying to solve a crime and shoot their documentary simultaneously! Great quick laughs for the serious film buff.

THE Grand American Private Dude Meta-Movie.......2001-05-12

This practically undistributed movie deconstructs the deeply hilarious American Private Dude archetype MUCH more funnily/sagely/gently/smartly/straightly than the also quite amusing, if brazenly campy/overcooked/dumbed-down, "The Big Lebowski". Commercial media wizards reject complexity, especially comic complexity (anything not BROADLY slapstick/satiric?) BEFORE it can come to market? Apparently. Wonderful stuff. Rent/buy it if you can find it. You might be charmed. You might even wonder WHY our professional masters consider us so stupid? If we want ONLY movies that wash over us sensationally, WAVES of light/sound, we don't need ANY movies that ask for our attention, our thoughtful participation? Of course. If, on the other hand... Ah well...

Superb throughout.......2000-07-29

Wonderful movie, both for the humor and pathos of the main plot and for the discussions of what's real when it's filmed. Thoughtful, excellent performances, and true humor.

Average customer rating:

an absurd and quirky delight!
The Big Sleeper
Enter Marlowe!
THE Grand American Private Dude Meta-Movie
Superb throughout

Where's Marlowe?
Starring: Miguel Ferrer , John Livingston , Mos Def , John Slattery , and Allison Dean
Director: Daniel Pyne
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 630591057X
Release Date: 2000-07-18