Farewell, My Lovely

Farewell, My Lovely

Year: 1975

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: Dick Richards

MysteryThrillerCrime

A hard-boiled private investigator, Phillip Marlowe, is hired by a recently released ex-con named Moose to locate his former lover, Velma. What begins as a seemingly straightforward missing person case quickly spirals into a dangerous web of mistaken identity and deceit. A planned ransom exchange goes horribly wrong, leaving Marlowe framed for murder and embroiled in a complex investigation filled with unexpected twists and perilous encounters.

Farewell, My Lovely (1975) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the rain‑slick streets of a restless, mid‑century city, a lone gumshoe paces between neon signs and shadowed alleys, his mind as sharp as the brass knuckles he keeps hidden. Philip Marlowe lives by a personal code that values honesty, wit, and a steady cup of bourbon, even as the world around him churns with corruption and broken promises. The city itself feels like a character—dark, gritty, and full of whispered secrets that cling to every corner.

When a newly released ex‑con walks into his office, the case seems almost too simple to be interesting. Moose offers a modest fee and a single request: find his former lover, Velma, a woman who vanished without a trace years ago and whose name still echoes in the underworld’s muted chatter. The job promises a straightforward trail, but the streets have a way of turning even the clearest leads into tangled webs.

Marlowe’s investigation quickly becomes more than a routine missing‑person search. The atmosphere thickens with the smell of cheap cigars, the low murmur of jazz clubs, and the ever‑present hum of danger that lurks behind polished façades. As he follows faint clues and navigates a world where loyalty is bought and sold, the detective’s own instincts and moral compass are put to the test.

What begins as a modest assignment unfolds into a perilous dance with deception, drawing Marlowe deeper into a labyrinth of false identities and hidden motives. In a city where everyone wears a mask, the private eye must decide whether the truth about Velma is worth the price it demands.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:15

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The narrative follows a detective's investigation that starts simply but unravels to reveal a deep-seated conspiracy or systemic corruption. The journey is linear but perilous, with the protagonist frequently facing physical danger, moral dilemmas, and betrayal, often finding that the truth is uglier than expected.

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Tragic crime thrillers like Farewell, My Lovely

Stories where a simple crime leads to an inescapable web of tragedy.Fans of the fatalistic spiral and somber ending in Farewell, My Lovely will appreciate these movies. This collection features crime stories where plans go horribly wrong, leading to framed protagonists, betrayal, and ultimately tragic consequences.

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Narrative Summary

The plot begins with a basic goal—a search, a heist, a deal—that quickly goes awry, entangling the characters in a complex and dangerous situation from which there is no clean escape. The narrative momentum is steady but builds toward an inevitable, emotionally heavy conclusion where characters are destroyed by the world's corruption or their own doomed passions.

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This thread connects films through their shared structure of a crime spiraling out of control and their commitment to a dark, sad ending. The experience is defined by high tension, a heavy emotional weight, and a pervasive sense of doom.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Farewell, My Lovely

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