Here's Why Filmmaker Neil Jordan Decided To Direct The Liam Neeson Noir Movie Marlowe [Exclusive]
Neil Jordan's new detective movie "Marlowe," starring Liam Neeson, is the director's first since "Greta" in 2018. Jordan may be one of the moodiest filmmakers working, and the smoky mysteries of film noir seem especially suited to his skills. "Marlowe" does indeed feature the famous P.I. created by Raymond Chandler in his 1939 novel "The Big Sleep," but it is not based on any of Chandler's works. Instead, the screenplay, by William Monahan ("The Departed") is based on a spinoff Marlowe novel called "The Black-Eyed Blonde" by John Banville. True to the genre, "Marlowe" is about the eponymous detective's search for the ex-lover of a rich heiress (Diane Kruger). A notable piece of trivia: "Marlowe" constitutes Neeson's 100th official screen credit.
As of this writing, "Marlowe" is not enjoying the best reviews (it currently has a 23% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes), but fans of film noir would do well to take notice of the talent alone. Also appearing in the film are Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, Danny Huston, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.
Recently, /Film's own Jack Giroux spoke with Jordan about his filmography, and what drew the director to this material. Well, apart from the obvious, that is. What film director wouldn't want to work with Liam Neeson on a Chandler-inflected mystery film? Jordan has visited mystery thrillers before — "Greta," "In Dreams," and "The Brave One" come to mind — but this may be his first proper American film noir. It turns out, Neeson was a big part of what Jordan liked about "Marlowe."
Three or four movies
Neil Jordan has worked with Neeson in the past — they both hail from Ireland — and knew what the actor was capable of. Watching Neeson work was a thrill for Jordan. He said:
"I really wanted to see what Liam would do with this character, because I've done three or four movies with Liam in the past, and he's been firing weapons and using his fists, which he's very, very good at. I wanted to see what he would do with the slow contemplative burn, right? That's why I made the movie."
Jordan and Neeson previously worked together on the 1988 supernatural comedy "High Spirits," the 1996 biographical drama "Michael Collins," and the 2005 comedy "Breakfast on Pluto." In that last film, Neeson played a character named Liam in what I assume is Jordan doing the actor a favor.
Neeson's career runs to both action and soulful dramas. His large frame and fighter's physique (he was once a boxer) belies a man capable of doing ample harm, while his deep eyes and deep voice reveal a great deal of vulnerability. Neeson, now 70, has played just about every kind of role, from revolutionaries to Jedi. Philip Marlowe seems like a good fit. Marlowe's actual age throughout Chandler's novels remains inconsistent, putting him somewhere in his mid-30s to early 40s. A Marlowe in his late 60s is a novel notion, and Neeson could easily play a mellowed-out version of the character.
Regardless, one might be excited to see two of Ireland's most celebrated creatives working together again.