The Long Goodbye Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Robert Altman's "The Long Goodbye" stays true to the original film's distinctive visual style, which was never intended for sharpness or vibrant colors. The AVC encoded image (2.33:1 aspect ratio) keeps to its characteristic soft cinematography and muted hues, maintaining the director's vision of a hazy, nostalgic experience through techniques like post-flashing. This choice, typical of 1970s experimental filmmaking, results in a look that contrasts strongly with the crisp, high-contrast visuals many modern viewers expect. While detail in faces, costuming, and locations is adequate, it is not prioritized, and the blacks are intentionally brightened and feeble, preserving the original photographic intent without smothering information.

The current 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer on Kino's Blu-ray, however, does appear to be repurposed from an older DVD master. Consequently, the 2.35:1 image remains quite soft and extremely grainy throughout. Black levels are milky, and bright lights bloom distractingly, which may be inherent to the film's original photography but also indicate limitations of the existing transfer. While the Blu-ray does display some film-like qualities without noticeable digital filtering or manipulation, it nonetheless looks more like watching an old, faded print rather than a modern high-resolution scan. Notably, a pinhole artifact appears around the 1 hour 14 minute mark, likely from the original production.

In its present form, the Blu-ray offers improvements over the DVD, such as better legibility of printed text, but falls short of what could be achieved with a high-resolution scan from the camera negative. The presence of scratches, damage, and occasional noise underscores the need for a more careful restoration to resolve detail and manage grain structure effectively. While faithful to Altman's vision, this release might disappoint those seeking a more refined visual quality on their HDTV screens.

The Blu-ray release of "The Long Goodbye" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track that is emblematic of its 1970s origins, capturing Robert Altman's signature style. While dialogue is clear and intelligible, there is a noticeable hiss present throughout, reflective of the era's lower-budget production constraints. The soundtrack is characterized by flat dynamic range and intermittently fuzzy audio quality, indicative of aged film reels. Despite these limitations, Altman's directional subtleties, such as overlapping dialogue and mumbled interactions, remain discernible and contribute to the film's authentic ambiance.

Musically, the track shines in its own distinctive way. Composed by John Williams, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, the recurring theme song is variably performed in styles ranging from a romantic ballad to supermarket muzak, infusing the film's atmosphere with a playful consistency. While scoring remains subtle and sometimes emotionally flat, it provides an identifiable auditory backdrop. Environmental sounds like beach atmospherics and street life are sporadically included, adding to the texture of the audio landscape. Despite the constraints of a monaural source, musical tracks come across robust and full-bodied, enhancing the overall listening experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Long Goodbye" are rich in insights and technicalities. "Rip Van Marlowe" offers interviews with Robert Altman and Elliott Gould discussing the film’s production, cast, and unique release strategy, though some spoilers and inaccuracies are present. "Vilmos Zsigmond Flashed 'The Long Goodbye'" provides a detailed account of the cinematographic techniques and the distinctive photographic approach. The 1973 American Cinematographer article reprinted as on-screen text gives contextual information on the technical methods used. Additionally, five radio spots and the theatrical trailer are included, although the latter is criticized for spoiling the plot.

Extras included in this disc:

• Rip Van Marlowe: Interviews with Altman and Gould about the making of the film.
• Vilmos Zsigmond Flashed 'The Long Goodbye': Technical discussion by the cinematographer.
• 1973 American Cinematographer Article: Reprint of the magazine story.
• Radio Spots: Five promotional radio ads.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original movie trailer in HD.

Robert Altman's 1973 adaptation of Raymond Chandler's "The Long Goodbye" successfully melds a unique noir narrative with distinct New Hollywood sensibilities, offering a captivating, albeit unconventional, take on the legendary detective Philip Marlowe. Departing significantly from the hard-boiled, grizzled incarnation famously portrayed by Humphrey Bogart in "The Big Sleep," Altman's Marlowe, embodied brilliantly by Elliott Gould, is a chain-smoking, mumbling presence steeped in the vestiges of a bygone era yet navigating the post-hippie milieu of Los Angeles. The screenplay by Leigh Brackett straddles a fascinating balance between maintaining the procedural backbone typical of Chandler's novels and indulging Altman's characteristic disinterest in conventional plot mechanics, prioritizing atmospheric depth and character interactions over a stringent pursuit of mystery resolution.

Gould's Marlowe is both passive and reactive, traits exemplified early on as he acquiesces to friend Terry Lennox's hasty request for a ride to the Mexican border without scrutiny. The ensuing narrative thrust involves Marlowe's unwitting plunge into convoluted scenarios populated by a cast of peculiar characters: from the troubled author Roger Wade, played with marvelously blustery menace by Sterling Hayden, to the threatening yet oddly comical crime boss Marty Augustine. While struggling to untangle the complexities behind Terry's alleged crimes, Marlowe observationally interacts with his surroundings, which Altman cleverly uses as a lens on contemporary L.A.'s societal mores. This includes everything from Marlowe's cat obstinately craving its preferred brand of food to his free-spirited neighbors' prolonged yoga and drug sessions.

Altman's direction ensures that the film captures more than just a crime investigation—it explores human behaviors and cultural mores, blending Golden Age motifs with satirical New Hollywood humor. Despite the loose narrative threads and Gould's improvisational allure, "The Long Goodbye" maintains an engaging balance of comedy and noir drama, making it one of Altman's most compelling works.

Robert Altman's "The Long Goodbye" is a distinctive entry in the director's diverse filmography, characterized by a confident blend of visual and audio experimentation. Altman's unique directorial approach weaves an inventive use of the titular song throughout the film, often surfacing in unexpected moments that add layers of meaning and atmosphere. This creative flexibility meshes seamlessly with the portrayal of Los Angeles, using Philip Marlowe's character to navigate through quirky, unpredictable environments, enhancing the cinematic tension. Altman's respect for genre conventions is evident but never restricts him, as he imbues the film with a personalized flair that reinterprets familiar detective tropes in an exciting manner.

Despite its initial reception, where both critics and audiences mistakenly expected a conventional noir, "The Long Goodbye" has since been recognized as a brilliant reimagining of the genre. Its unconventional approach initially confused viewers but has earned critical acclaim over time as a thoughtful and innovative piece that reinvigorates Raymond Chandler’s source material. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray transfer falls short in capturing the film's nuanced visual and audio textures. The transfer reveals notable flaws that undermine the film’s atmospheric richness, leaving significant room for improvement should a remaster be considered in the future.

Altman's spirited direction in "The Long Goodbye" elevates it beyond traditional detective stories, creating a film that stands out with its revisionist take on noir. While the Blu-ray edition doesn't entirely do justice to Altman's vision due to technical shortcomings, the film's intricate blending of mood, character, and thematic depth remains compelling. Whether you are a long-time fan or a new viewer, this disc remains a valuable testament to Altman's enduring impact and creative genius—even if it doesn't fully capture the film's original brilliance.