In the Maltese Falcon, private detective Sam Spade is the main character, and he is supposed to be the protagonist of the story. He is the one the audience is rooting for, the good guy, but while watching the film I was constantly finding myself viewing him as one of the bad guys based on some of his actions.
There were many instances in the film when I myself found Spade to be very cold and heartless. When he discovered that his partner had been murdered, his reaction was strange. He didn't seem to be upset, and he wasted no time having his desk moved out of the office and his name taken off the windows and doors of their office. For someone who has just lost their partner, it seems that he would have been a bit more respectful. But, Spades character is that of someone who abides by his own terms, and be doesn't care what others think of him or how his actions are affecting the people around him.
We learned that Spade had been having an affair with his partner, Miles Archers wife. He knew that she would be mourning the loss of her husband along with the guilt she must be feeling over they affair and yet he sent his secretary to be with Iva and gave her specific instructions to keep Iva away from
him.
It is obvious that Spase develops feelings for Brigid as they spend more time together, but she is mysterious and will never fully explain what is going on to Spade. But still he agrees to investigate the situation. To me it seemed that Spade played all sides of the fence throughout the film. The police had strong suspicions about Spade and his involvement in the murders but Spade didn't sweat it. He played it cool, and would give them information to distract them from him.
When Spade meets The Fat Man he learns more about the falcon. When what he thinks is the falcon is given to him, he strikes a deal with the Fat Man that he can have it with a little compensation. Ten thousand dollars, as well as someone to turn in for the murders. He is willing to throw anyone else under the bus as long as its not him taking the heat. In the end it is decided that Wilmer is the best choice.
Fat Man and Cairo make the discovery that the falcon is a fake, and they decide to travel to Instanbull to continue their quest of the treasured falcon. It seems that all is well with Far Man and Spade when he leaves, but the second that they are gone he calls the police to turn them in. It seems that Brigid has gotten off easy but Spade must know the truth. It is revealed that Brigid killed Miles to implicate Thursby. Despite his strong feelings for Brigid, Spade turns her over to the police.
Was this the right thing to do, Turning against a woman that he loved? Did he do it for justice or what was his reasoning? These are the things I was left asking myself at the end of the film. Ideally, Spade is the protagonist of the movie, and I guess he really is. He solved the mystery, and justice would be served, but as a person Spade seems very crooked and cold. From watching this film I learned its not necessary for the good guy to always be so great, and there are probably many other times in other films where this situation stands.
-CS-
Sam Spade was no ordinary private detective from San Francisco. Based on the series of events in the film, I believe Spade was an extraordinary detective. Throughout the film, Spade had many opportunities to express fear or concern, but he constantly remained calm and focused the whole time. He may have appeared even cold and heartless at times, but he was a professional. Unlike his partner, Miles Archer, Spade did not allow his emotions to dictate his actions. Archer made the mistake of allowing Bridget’s beauty to control his actions. As a result, Archer ended up getting killed for trying to impress the woman. Spade showed no signs of mourning over the loss of his friend because he had to continue with the case. His keen senses allowed him to determine when the others involved in the case were lying or not. Always one step ahead of the game, he learned quickly how to manipulate each situation in his favor. In the end, Spade’s uninterrupted efforts allowed him to bring justice to the murder of his partner. Viewers are led to believe that Spade did actually have true feelings for Bridget. Despite what feelings he may have had, Spade still turned Bridget into the police for murdering Miles Archer. Spade could not allow his affections for Bridget to interfere with his responsibilities as a detective. Although this decision was very difficult for Spade, he had to make the right choice to protect himself because he could never be sure if Bridget’s feelings were ever true.
ReplyDelete-D.Krohn
By Rachel Molique
ReplyDeleteI feel as though you may have read Spade’s character wrong. I think he had to put his emotions aside to be able to do his job and ensure his own safety. When his partner dies he is in the middle of solving a case and doesn’t have a lot of time to mourn his loss. And when he makes a deal with the Fat Man about the bird, I think it was to make sure that all of the people he was helping weren’t going to turn against him.
One great example of when Sam has to put his emotions aside is when he has to turn Brigid in. He may have seemed very cold and cruel for doing this since he claimed that he loved her, but at one point in the conversation he says he doesn’t want to turn her in but that he has to. He says he has to do it for his partner, Miles Archer, and for himself. He tells Brigid he has to do it because doesn’t know if she would one day end up “putting a hole in him” because of all the secret information they share and because he doesn’t want to be her fool.
I think Sam is a good guy throughout the movie. I think he just knows that it’s important to keep his emotions separate from his work. I think it’s because of this that Sam Spade is the only one to come out on top in the end of the movie.