The Long Goodbye

Year: 1973

Runtime: 112 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Altman

DramaMysteryThrillerComedyCrime

As an immigrant family prepares for a wedding in their British home, a local right-wing march unexpectedly escalates into chaos. The disruption exposes underlying tensions and fractures within the community, challenging the family's sense of belonging and revealing a more complex reality beneath the surface of everyday life.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Long Goodbye yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Long Goodbye (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Long Goodbye (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

Los Angeles, Tijuana, Malibu Colony, Mexico City

The movie predominantly takes place in Los Angeles, known for its sprawling urban landscape and vibrant nightlife. Tijuana serves as a pivotal location for the story, representing a stark contrast to Marlowe's life in the U.S. Malibu Colony is depicted as an affluent coastal community, reflecting the characters' struggles with wealth and personal relationships. The connection to Mexico City further emphasizes the themes of crime and betrayal.

🌆 City 🌊 Beach 🇲🇽 Mexico

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:25

Main Characters – The Long Goodbye (1973)

Meet the key characters of The Long Goodbye (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:25

Major Themes – The Long Goodbye (1973)

Explore the central themes of The Long Goodbye (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:25

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Cynical Detective Movies Like The Long Goodbye

World-weary protagonists uncover the rot beneath society's sunny facade.If you liked Elliott Gould's portrayal of Philip Marlowe in The Long Goodbye, you'll enjoy these movies about weary detectives. This thread gathers films with similar world-weary protagonists, slow-burn mysteries, and a deep sense of cynicism. Find other neo-noir and crime stories where the hero is as interesting as the case.

cynicaldisillusionedwearydetachedhazynoirlonelymellow

Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a disillusioned protagonist, often a detective, as they investigate a case that reveals more about the corruption of the world than it does about the crime itself. The central mystery is often simple, but it's complicated by layers of deception from characters who are all morally compromised. The protagonist's journey is less about triumphant justice and more about a grim confirmation of their cynical worldview.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their cynical tone, the archetype of the detached hero, and the thematic focus on betrayal and moral ambiguity. They share a similar pacing that allows for atmospheric immersion and a mood that balances melancholy with a sharp, disenchanted perspective on human nature.

Atmospheric Neo-Noir Films Like The Long Goodbye

Slow-burn mysteries where the setting and mood are central to the story.Discover movies that share the hazy, sun-drenched atmosphere and slow-burn pace of The Long Goodbye. This section features similar neo-noir stories where the mood and setting are as important as the plot. If you liked the laid-back, melancholic vibe of Los Angeles in the film, you'll find more like it here.

hazymellownonchalantsun-drenchedmelancholicatmosphericslow burndetached

Narrative Summary

The narrative in these films unfolds at a leisurely pace, prioritizing mood and character observation over complex plotting. The story often feels like a meandering journey through a specific, vividly rendered world. The central conflict simmers beneath a surface of everyday life, with bursts of violence or revelation that disrupt the languid atmosphere but don't fundamentally change its melancholic tone.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their unique blend of a slow, meandering pace with a distinctly melancholic and hazy neo-noir atmosphere. They share a medium intensity that focuses on simmering tension rather than constant action, and often feature bittersweet or bleak endings that reinforce the overall mood.

Unlock the Full Story of The Long Goodbye

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Long Goodbye in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Long Goodbye is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Long Goodbye Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Long Goodbye, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Long Goodbye Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Long Goodbye with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Long Goodbye Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Long Goodbye that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About The Long Goodbye

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Long Goodbye: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to The Long Goodbye

Discover movies like The Long Goodbye that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.