The Long Goodbye

Philip Marlowe returns home from a late-night grocery run where he had picked up cat food. Upon reaching his Los Angeles apartment, he finds his friend Terry Lennox in distress, highlighting the urgency of the moment.

Terry Lennox urgently requests Marlowe to drive him to Tijuana, showcasing his distress with scratches marring his face. This peculiar circumstance raises Marlowe's suspicion about what could have happened to his friend.

After returning from Mexico, Marlowe is intercepted by police detectives who begin to question him regarding Lennox's whereabouts. His refusal to answer leads to his arrest, escalating the tension of the investigation.

During his interrogation, Marlowe learns that Terry Lennox is accused of murdering his wife, Sylvia. This surprising twist leaves Marlowe in disbelief, especially after discovering that Lennox has committed suicide in Mexico.

Eileen Wade approaches Marlowe seeking help to find her missing husband, Roger Wade, an alcoholic novelist. The complexity of the Wades' relationship hints at deeper issues as Marlowe starts his investigation.

Marlowe's investigation leads him to a detox clinic where he locates Roger Wade. Bringing him back home unveils the Wades’ social ties to the Lennox family, further stirring Marlowe's curiosity about their connection.

Marlowe meets gangster Marty Augustine, who demands the return of $355,000 that Lennox was supposed to deliver. Augustine's threat against Marlowe's girlfriend showcases the dangerous nature of the criminal underworld.

After returning to the Wades, Marlowe discovers that Augustine actually owes Roger $50,000. This unexpected twist adds layers to the unfolding conflict and emphasizes the complex web of relationships at play.

Marlowe travels back to Mexico for more clues regarding Lennox's death. His investigations confirm the details surrounding the case, deepening the mystery and his suspicions.

At a chaotic beach party hosted by the Wades, the arrival of Dr. Verringer seeking clinic fees creates tension. This culminates in Roger walking into the ocean, causing alarm among those present.

Roger disappears while wading into the ocean, leading to his presumed drowning. Eileen connects Roger's demise to Sylvia's affair with remarks about jealousy, intertwining the fates of all characters involved.

Marlowe receives a farewell letter signed 'Terry' accompanied by a mysterious $5,000 bill. This prompts a series of events leading Marlowe to meet with Augustine again, complicating the narrative further.

Marlowe is struck by a vehicle while attempting to reach Eileen, resulting in a hospital stay. He encounters a fellow patient who gives him a curious gift, a miniature harmonica, adding a surreal element to his recovery.

Marlowe discovers Terry living in Mexico and learns the shocking truth about Sylvia's murder. In a climactic moment of rage and despair, Marlowe fatally shoots Terry, sealing the fate of their intertwined stories.

As Marlowe walks away from the tragic scene, he encounters Eileen on her way to meet Terry. In a poignant moment, he plays the harmonica he received in the hospital, symbolizing the haunting echoes of their shared tragic fate.