Private eye Philip Marlowe is hired by ex-con Moose Malloy to find his girlfriend, a former lounge dancer. While also investigating the murder of a client and the theft of a jade necklace, Marlowe becomes entangled with seductress Helen Grayle and discovers a web of dark secrets that are better left hidden.

'Farewell, My Lovely' succeeds as a faithful Chandler adaptation with Mitchum delivering a perfectly suited Marlowe performance, supported by a first-rate ensemble cast. The production design authentically recreates 1940s Los Angeles with moody noir atmosphere, while the twisting mystery maintains suspense throughout. However, director Dick Richards receives mixed assessments for occasionally stodgy pacing, and the narrative complexity proves divisive—some find it nicely intricate while others consider it overly convoluted. Engagement levels vary, with a few reviewers finding the plot confusing despite strong atmospheric elements.