Lou Pascal is a lonely, down-on-his-luck private detective in San Francisco who takes on a seemingly simple case to find a missing lipstick. However, the case quickly escalates as it becomes entangled with international espionage, murder, and a massive diamond smuggling operation. Pascal must navigate a labyrinth of femme fatales, eccentric characters, and dangerous situations, all while trying to solve the puzzle and survive.

The Cheap Detective was a modest commercial success and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its clever parody of classic film noir and detective movies, as well as its ensemble cast's performances. While some found the humor a bit hit-or-miss, the film was largely celebrated for its witty script and nostalgic tone.

• Praised for its affectionate parody of film noir tropes.
• Lauded for Peter Falk's performance as a Woody Allen-esque detective.
• Some critics noted that the humor could be uneven.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film's comedic take on detective stories and the performances, particularly Peter Falk. The humor and nostalgic feel were often cited as highlights.

The film is a loving parody of classic detective films, with many characters and plot points directly referencing iconic movies like 'The Maltese Falcon,' 'Casablanca,' and 'The Big Sleep.'