The Singing Detective (Potter)

I don't usually use superlatives, but I have to say this is one of the most brilliant films I've seen. The fact that it is a 6-hour TV film gives it the space to do ju... more >

I don't usually use superlatives, but I have to say this is one of the most brilliant films I've seen. The fact that it is a 6-hour TV film gives it the space to do justice to the script. The film works on several levels. At one level, it is about a writer, Philip Marlowe, who is in hospital with psorisis. At another, it is Marlowe's reworking of the only book he's written - The Singing Detective. Then there are his imaginings of his wife's betrayal. Finally, when he is persuaded to go see the hospital psychiatrist, there are his memories of his childhood. All these threads are brought together, and you start to see how everything links up. Songs from the 50s are scattered throughout the film, some of them Marlowe's hallucinations in the hospital, including a wonderful impromptu dance by the hospital staff to Dry Bones!

This is definitely a film to own, because it should be seen several times to really appreciate all the fine touches. The acting is excellent, especia by Michael Gambon as Marlowe. < less

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DVD Extras

• 3 discs. Excerpts from 1998 documentary 'Close up: Dennis Potter under the skin'
• Arena & Points of View segments
• Director / Producer Commentary.

Film Details

Cast

Janet Suzman, Michael Gambon, Patrick Malahide

Technical Details