this be not good . it some sort of generic and b movie and noir epic . with all of those idea in conflict . twenty development get tease out and to no discernible entertainment value . it a very and very long movie try hard to believe it have peak and structure and but the meaninglessness begin pile up quite early . the actor drift and because mankewicz isn not do anything to shape the movie . it ain not deep and so why be it the length of an opera . i will give you twenty minute to detect the big twist . you will still be ahead of the character by 80 or 90 minute . the script be overdeveloped and and can not bear inspection for it two hour length . the cast of character be rather extend . it just a mess and go through the noir motion and and a uniform texture of tedium . it uninvolving in the extreme . hodiak have lead man look but very little presence . he exactly the same from scene to scene while inexpressive and diffuse . he like a prop that can talk . eddie muller seem silently aware of the problem and and doesn not even bother with any frame remark in his glib and unhelpful commentary . he just start describe thing on the screen . if eddie muller can not help you find the merit in a noir and youre in for a long ride . i can not think of a single reason you should watch this . this and the big knife be the two most tedious movie i have see in the last ten year . not recommend .