Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.
The Maltese Falcon is a landmark of film noir and one of the most distinctive crime films ever made. Its labyrinthine plot of double-crosses and shifting alliances is expertly constructed from Hammett's novel. Bogart's Sam Spade is a defining performance, and the supporting cast — Greenstreet, Lorre, Astor — is exceptional. Huston's sharp, expressionistic cinematography established visual templates for the genre. Its novelty as the film that essentially codified Hollywood film noir is undeniable and singular. The ending, while thematically resonant and morally satisfying, is somewhat abrupt and deliberately cold — effective but not the film's strongest element.