The Big Sleep - Book vs. Movie Adaptation

Warner Brothers produced the film adaptation of Chandler's novel The Big Sleep directed by Howard Hawks in 1946. Whom starred Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and was and still is considered a classic film noire. Of course like many other films that have been adapted, the book will always be better than its film adaptation. In the book we were able to relate more with Marlowe as we were able to get into his head while reading his narration. One would think that it'd be an easy task to just simply make a movie from a book, copy the lines, set the scene in the descriptions from the book, and use the same characters and wallah! But a lot of film directors have failed at this task. The book is always more personal, which sets a high standard for the movie to follow. In The Big Sleep the writers who adapted Chandler's novel chose to have Eddie Mars killed instead of leaving him as a constant threat to the General and his daughters.. Also The idea of Marlowe meeting Mars at Geiger's house at the end of the film was also added by screen writers because in the book Marlowe tells Vivian that he wants to just talk to Mars and warn him about his knowledge Carmen killing Rusty. Did they do that for an interesting cinematic finale? Was a talk not so interesting? Also the way Marlowe was killed was different, maybe if it would have ended up in a shooting the movie wouldn't have had as neat of a finish as it did? Also, the homosexual relationship between Geiger and Carol were only hinted at. (Maybe inappropriate for a 1946 film?) Also in the film Bogie lets the air out of the tires to go into the garage but in the book Marlowe gets a flat tire by running over something sharp in the road. There are many differences in the movie, many of which are because the movie doesn't have as much time as the book does. The book can encompass so much more with its readers, gets all the more personal, and is able to make its readers fall in love. Unfortunately enough for its film adaptation most readers are already in love with the material from the novel, and don't really like seeing the characters portrayed any differently than they are in the novel.

Reaction to The Big Sleep

Throughly all the movies we seen so far in class, I've found The Big Sleep more appealing than the others. Reading the book I enjoyed the whole story of a private detective on a mission to complete his case no matter the circumstance. Marlow being the narrator you can tell that for a mere $25 a day he is willing to complete any task at hand. Being a detective he has no outside relations or family. You know he is a honest individual in a corrupt world. As we watched the movie I could already tell that he is the exact depiction of what is meant to be a detective. His white button down white along with the trench coat was exactly what I envisioned him to be. As he looked at the night in the beginning of the movie I believe he was looking at himself being that he comes in counter with death, robbery and murder. He is the individual who is there to save the day and bring justice to the world. Aside from all the crime I did find Marlow extremely funny. His sarcastic wit is what gets him all the woman which baffles me.

The Big Sleep Film Vs. Book

I really enjoyed screening the film last night, however the film was not what I imagined Phillip Marlowe's world to be like while reading the book.. I envisioned a much grittier, grimier, dirtier city.  Harry Jones' building is a castle compared to what I saw in my head (I had pictured what a modern day "crackhouse" would look like as the best thing I can compare it to)  Humphrey Bogart is exactly how I expected him to be, aside from the fact that I didn't really view him in the book as the huge lady man that he was in the film. In my head I took it more as the way that Vivian and Carmen were the reasons why Marlowe was appealing to them more so than the way he carried himself.  In the film every girl instantly fell for him (this has to do with the fact that Bogart played him) 

Keys

What does Chandler do? I feel entrapped when I read this book. Chandler's descriptions allows me to feel as if I am there. He allows me to be apart of plot. I am in the book noticing what his main character is noticing with all of the descriptive annotations and references. He makes you believe that the main character is really who we expect him to be and/how we expect him to be. A private detective will be able to notice details that others might or will skip. He is so detail oriented when it comes to describing that pictures of what he gives detail about, I envision something related to it and then I make a reference to something it had to do with my life. Overall his writing style fits the script makes an account for the motivational envisioning endorsed, the author does his best not to skip a beat. His details are key.

Imagery

In Chapter 26 of the Big Sleep, Author Raymond Chandler did a fascinating job at creating the ideal imagery description. This well written description mysteriously sets the mood and allows readers to feel with Marlowe as we read his narration. This description is interesting because it shows how specific a detective can be. The mind of Marlowe works in a very concrete way, hes observant and always on his toes. The chapter sets us up for the drama and action that is about to arise.

Description and sensory atmosphere (Chapter 26)

Last week, we had spent quite an amount of time discussing the use of description in "The Big Sleep" more prime towards the overuse, the description of every minuet detail. I'm under the umbrella that loves this "over-description" as it does something to the world of the story, It paints a picture. It enables me to step into the world, it guides every single one of my senses. I can feel my heels slithering on the sidewalk as i approach the building, I can see what kind of businesses could be run in such an ugly building. The criminal activity emanates as I approach the old man and the elevator. I can feel my movement come to a slow crawl as I walk in the bum alley and the recent memories that are left behind. I'm in Marlowe's shoes, I can sense his attitude and it effectively become my attitude as the passage moves forward.

A long description to set the mood

Chandler's writing style of using full pages or more to give nothing more than description are used to set the mood, tone, and atmosphere for the scene that we are reading.  It definitely makes it easy to adapt into a movie or a screenplay based on the fact that every little thing from the stage set up, to the stage directions are basically given to you.  The way he goes into long descriptions for me personally also helps evoke emotions... sometimes building up anxiety, or suspense, and keeping me on my toes. It also allows the audience to  develop a better understanding of Marlowe as a character, and lets us get a peek into history and understand the era of which he is writing about.  He allows us to see the harsh realities of the great depression - all the homeless people, the desolate feel in the buildings, I enjoy books that give descriptions such as Chandler's as it allows me to fully create the book in my mind, it allows me to envision every detail rather than a half picture.