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The Long Goodbye

Play trailer Poster for The Long Goodbye R 1973 1h 52m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Private detective Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) is asked by his old buddy Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton) for a ride to Mexico. He obliges, and when he gets back to Los Angeles is questioned by police about the death of Terry's wife. Marlowe remains a suspect until it's reported that Terry has committed suicide in Mexico. Marlowe doesn't buy it but takes a new case from a beautiful blond, Eileen Wade (Nina van Pallandt), who coincidentally has a past with Terry.
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The Long Goodbye

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Critics Consensus

An ice-cold noir that retains Robert Altman's idiosyncratic sensibilities, The Long Goodbye ranks among the smartest and most satisfying Marlowe mysteries.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker Altman holds genre clichés and conventions up to the light of modern life—and uses them as a prism to reveal its hidden tones. Dec 19, 2022 Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Some of the improvisational scenes don't entirely work, but it's an ambitious and artful reinvention. Rated: 4/5 Nov 26, 2021 Full Review Philip French Guardian A masterpiece of sorts, it digs beneath the surface of the supposedly liberated spirit of the times to expose the ethos that took America into the Vietnam war and produced Watergate. Jul 17, 2020 Full Review Chance Solem-Pfeifer Willamette Week Even when The Long Goodbye is ’70s shaggy, director Robert Altman (at the height of his powers) maintains a core tension within Marlowe’s wild goose chase. Apr 17, 2025 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies It all comes down to the wisecracking Gould – messy and unkept, with a cigarette loosely dangling from the corner of his mouth. He’s the special sauce that makes the whole thing work and a perfect fit for the kind of movie Altman is shooting for. Rated: 4/5 Apr 16, 2024 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Robert Altman and Elliott Gould might not be the ideal director/actor for Phillip Marlowe but they really make The Long Goodbye their own with their satirical contribution to the genre. Rated: 4.5/5 Mar 7, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Corey S A beebopping, free loving fever dream. The plot isn't as sharp and intricate as the novel, but that gives the film room to breathe while staying quick and breezy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/17/25 Full Review Annie S This is the ultimate early 70s movie about California. First watched by me in the 80s when I was, as a fan of Altman, Didion and other CA icons, simply blown away. Too many reviews harp on the 40's noire and Marlowe comparisons, which are sooo not the point. This movie is about the experience of California/LA and what it maybe meant to be in this phenomenally influential place at this time - part gangster, part scam and part art. It's the best exploration imaginable. The divine Henry Gibson represents all of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and more in his few, dry scenes. Sterling Hadyn viscerally portrays the artist, the guy who has ability, vision, machismo, and the classic inability to deal with his own fame, with having any belief in himself. Nina P is the ultimate representation of a Lady of The Canyon. And Elliot Gould carries the whole thing insouciantly on his shoulders. It remains firmly on my Top Ten Best Ever List. Put aside the Chandler baggage and view it as it is - So Cal when So Cal was probably the most culturally influential place of its time. Nothing is as it seems, nothing is dependable, life looks so sweet but feels essentially hollow, all is a sham. Enjoy!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/08/25 Full Review Joe J Great acting, some good dialog, and there is nothing redeeming about this film. It is self-indulgent and unsatisfying. What a waste of time and money. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/20/25 Full Review Robert K Some movies you just wish you lived inside. This is one of them. Top 3 of my Altman likes. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review marvin n I can't stand Elliot Gould. I can't stand smoking, which is what Elliot Gould does nonstop in this film Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review john h Ludicrous black humor that aids the idiosyncrasy of the characters and the surreal, gloomy plot set in 1970s Los Angeles. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/06/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Long Goodbye

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Altman

Director

Elliott Gould

Philip Marlowe

Nina van Pallandt

Eileen Wade

Sterling Hayden

Roger Wade

Mark Rydell

Marty Augustine

Henry Gibson

Dr. Verringer

Movie Clips

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The Long Goodbye

The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Chasing Eileen Wade The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Chasing Eileen Wade 2:11 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Wade's Suicide The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Wade's Suicide 2:10 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Dr. Verringer's Clinic The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Dr. Verringer's Clinic 2:13 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Walter Brennan The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Walter Brennan 2:13 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Broken Bottle, Broken Face The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Broken Bottle, Broken Face 2:13 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Take Off Your Clothes The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Take Off Your Clothes 2:08 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - The Albino Turd The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - The Albino Turd 2:12 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Freedom From Verringer's The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Freedom From Verringer's 2:12 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Interrogation The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - Interrogation 2:12 The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - A Born Loser The Long Goodbye: Official Clip - A Born Loser 2:13 View more videos

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The Long Goodbye

The Long Goodbye (1973) The Long Goodbye (1973) The Long Goodbye (1973) The Long Goodbye (1973) The Long Goodbye (1973) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Private detective Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) is asked by his old buddy Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton) for a ride to Mexico. He obliges, and when he gets back to Los Angeles is questioned by police about the death of Terry's wife. Marlowe remains a suspect until it's reported that Terry has committed suicide in Mexico. Marlowe doesn't buy it but takes a new case from a beautiful blond, Eileen Wade (Nina van Pallandt), who coincidentally has a past with Terry.
Director
Robert Altman
Producer
Jerry Bick
Screenwriter
Raymond Chandler, Leigh Brackett
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
United Artists
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 7, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Scope (2.35:1)
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