Harper
Harper

Harper

1966Movie121 minEnglish

Harper is a cynical private eye in the best tradition of Bogart. He even has Bogie's Baby hiring him to find her missing husband, getting involved along the way with an assortment of unsavory characters and an illegal-alien smuggling ring.

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Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Google Users75%
Director: Jack SmightGenres: Neo-noir, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Plot Summary

Private investigator Lew Harper is hired by the wealthy Mrs. Sampson to find her missing millionaire husband. As Harper delves into the case, he uncovers a web of deceit, infidelity, and betrayal involving the entire Sampson family and their associates. The investigation leads him through the dark underbelly of Los Angeles, encountering dangerous characters and facing increasing peril.

Critical Reception

Harper was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Paul Newman's charismatic performance and the film's stylish neo-noir atmosphere. While not a massive box office success, it gained a reputation as a solid, engaging crime thriller with a compelling mystery at its core.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praises Paul Newman's iconic portrayal of the cynical private detective.
  • Appreciates the film's moody atmosphere and classic noir elements.
  • Found the mystery engaging but sometimes convoluted.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed Harper, highlighting Paul Newman's strong performance and the film's suspenseful plot. Some viewers found the storyline a bit predictable, but the overall consensus leaned towards a well-crafted detective film.

Fun Fact

The character of Lew Harper was inspired by Raymond Chandler's famous detective Philip Marlowe. Paul Newman would later reprise the role in 'The Drowning Pool' (1975).

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