The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon was not as good as I thought it would be. Perhaps I am just spoiled with big-budget, high-quality graphics, complex effects, of modern blockbuster movies, but this supposed classic was not that effective in my opinion. Perhaps it was more groundbreaking for the time, but I am not sure how. Aside from the production that was obviously limited by the time of its making, I also did not love the plot, or the aspects of mystery. First, I was disenfranchised with the questionable acting of Archer. In the scene where they get paid their retainer, his mannerisms seemed extremely unnatural. I also did not like how his partner and friend, Spade, seemed extremely indifferent after his death.

I also have a problem with the cohesiveness of the story. The various factions of characters and their individual motives and hierarchy of authority is consistently confusing. Along with that, the scene with Cairo when he first approaches Spade is ridiculous. Why does he hold him to gunpoint when he is trying to hire him, got knocked out, wake up 30 seconds later, make a deal with him, then hold him at gunpoint again. Very strange stuff.

I was never quite sure how Ruth Wonderly/Brigid O'Shaughnessy played into things, but it was interesting to see how it came together in the end. But, I was not happy that there was never a conclusion with regards to the actual falcon.