

Rip Van Marlowe
Interviews with Robert Altman and Elliott Gould about The Long Goodbye (1973)
Insights
Plot Summary
A cynical private investigator, Marlowe, wakes up from a 40-year coma to find himself in a futuristic Los Angeles. He must navigate this unfamiliar world and confront a dangerous conspiracy that spans decades. As he pieces together the events of his past and the present, he finds himself entangled with a mysterious woman who may hold the key to his survival.
Critical Reception
Rip Van Marlowe was met with a largely negative reception from critics, who found its premise intriguing but ultimately failed to deliver a cohesive or engaging film. The acting, direction, and plot were frequently criticized as being underdeveloped and uninspired, leading to its limited theatrical release and poor box office performance.
What Reviewers Say
- The film's premise of a noir detective waking up in the future is a novel idea that is poorly executed.
- The performances are largely uninspired and fail to bring depth to the characters.
- The plot quickly becomes convoluted and loses its narrative momentum.
Google audience: Audience reception for Rip Van Marlowe was overwhelmingly negative, with viewers citing a lack of compelling storytelling and weak character development as major drawbacks. The film's futuristic elements felt tacked on rather than integral to the plot, and many found it to be a disappointing attempt at a modern noir.
Fun Fact
The film was originally conceived as a television pilot before being retooled as a feature film.
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