--- title: "The Big Sleep: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-big-sleep/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-big-sleep" critics_score: 83 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Big Sleep (1946): what the critics said Critics' score 83 from 12 reviews: 12 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are uniformly positive about The Big Sleep, with praise clustering around Bogart and Bacall’s chemistry and the sharp dialogue that gives their exchanges such charge. Most critics treat the detective story as secondary to the pleasure of watching these characters spar. Hawks’ direction also earns credit for sustaining suspense through individual scenes, while the supporting cast and lively women characters give the film interest beyond its central pairing. The differences concern how much the tangled plotting matters. Eye for Film finds the structure unsatisfying and the events difficult to pin down, despite the energy and performances. Empire has reservations about its effectiveness as a Chandler adaptation. Time Out, by contrast, treats the dreamlike confusion as part of the attraction. The spread is therefore one of enthusiasm rather than outright dissent: critics agree on the pleasures, but differ over whether narrative confusion enriches them or is simply worth tolerating. ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 5/5. 27 December 2010. The review celebrates the film's tangled, dreamlike plot and crackling dialogue as a high point of Hollywood cinema, noting its subversive take on romance, violence and female sexuality. It praises the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall and the way Hawks uses the story as an excuse for memorable scenes and sharp wit. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-big-sleep-1) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 22 June 1997. The critic celebrates the 1946 version as a great film noir whose witty, quotable dialogue and Bogart-Bacall chemistry make it enduringly popular despite its convoluted plot. He singles out the reshot scenes that enhanced the romantic banter and insolence between the leads. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-big-sleep-1946) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2006. The film is less effective as a Chandler adaptation than some but remains a classic, wholly lovable movie; the critic praises its deployment of a picturesque supporting cast and visual/verbal pleasures over plot coherence. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/big-sleep-review/) ## Sight and Sound — John Pym Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The critic praises the film's ability to sustain an illusion of suspense and its memorable set-piece episodes despite the famously convoluted plot. It highlights the vivacious Hawksian women characters and the witty, literate dialogue as key strengths that have helped the film endure. [Read the review](http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/reviews/releases/big-sleep.php) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 August 1995. The critic highlights the re-release of the 1946 film in a sharp new print, praising the crackling dialogue between Bogart and Bacall that creates sparks and obscures the convoluted plot. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/full-of-blubbery-goodness-1594507.html) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1945. The review praises Howard Hawks' direction for transferring Chandler's brittle characters to the screen with punch and providing a full load of rough, tense action. It highlights the smooth teaming of Bogart and Bacall along with the staccato pace and lusty romantic and physical action. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1945/film/reviews/the-big-sleep-1200414694/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. In a glowing new print the film looks cooler than ever; the critic singles out the sizzling chemistry and sparring between Bogart and Bacall while noting the plot's double-crosses are best ignored. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-big-sleep-awakens-better-than-ever-7423115.html) ## IndieWire — Max O'Connell Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 August 2014. The piece presents Howard Hawks' 1946 adaptation as a classic example of the director's style and the Bogart-Bacall pairing. It highlights the film's witty dialogue and sexual tension as standout elements in a retrospective discussion. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/criticwire-classic-of-the-week-howard-hawks-the-big-sleep-126040/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 December 2010. The critic finds the re-released Howard Hawks classic a head-spinning, occult-feeling thriller whose plot demands fierce concentration and now resembles a David Lynch fable. He singles out the witty, charged dialogue and unmatched screen chemistry between Bogart and Bacall for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/dec/23/the-big-sleep-film-review) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 August 2019. The critic calls The Big Sleep a timeless classic and masterpiece of style, crediting Hawks' sharp dialogue and the irresistible cool of Bogart and Bacall's pairing. The review emphasizes that the famously convoluted plot is secondary to the film's witty banter and star chemistry. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-big-sleep-proof-that-plot-doesn-t-matter/) ## Paste Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 February 2024. The critic ranks The Big Sleep as the best Bogart-Bacall collaboration. The film's convoluted plot and production troubles, including reshoots to emphasize the stars' chemistry, ultimately enhance its enigmatic and dynamic qualities rather than detract from them. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/film-noir/bogart-and-bacall-movies-ranked) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Rating 4/5. 30 December 2010. The critic praises the film's energy, witty script, and the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall, but notes it is structurally unsatisfying due to convoluted plotting and leaves the viewer unsure of the events. They single out the character-driven nature and Bogart's performance for keeping the audience engaged. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-big-sleep-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-big-sleep.md