“You know.. I just love these film noir movies. I can not help myself,” Kristl said.
“Well..it’s an old movie,” Henry said.
“And don’t you find Lauren Bacall marvelous! I mean. Remember she was very young at the time and she easily dominates every scene she is in. She is born to be an actress. An amazing person on the level of say Katherine Hepburn.”
“Yes.. I know, but the movie is a bit slow on the action.”
“And it’s just about as great a movie as it is as great a film noir,”Kristl did not let herself stop and continued, “Don’t you see it.. I mean.. In a hundred years.. when the like of a Steven Seagal and Charles Bronson have been nearly forgotten, this is one of those movies
people will still like to watch. It is like head and shoulders above the likes of a Seagal or a Bronson.”
“I mean really there is no comparison. It is better acted, better written, better shot, better whatever,” Kristl said enigmatically, “This is how you make movies…”
“Yeah… still slow and a bit..boring. Except for these girls who play around with Bogie. I mean the librarian is really.. cute. Even without glasses.”
“Gosh.. it has to be about sex.”
“Like you do not get all bothered by Lauren Bacall?”
“That’s because she is a great actress!”
“Yeah… Right.”
“Listen.. this is a an great movie both as a movie and as a film noir movie. Both Humprey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are at their best here. I mean the combination of them makes this movie. Of course some of the cast helped.. but it was their interaction that makes this movie.”
“Okay.. still it’s a slow movie… kinda boring,” Henry repeated.
“I grant you that.. it is slow for nowadays.. but.. if..”
“.. you are as old as you?” Henry grinned.
“Okay.. as old as me.. you start to find these movies great for what they are. For the story, the acting and what not.”
“But not for their speed.”
“No.”
“Good we agree on that,” Henry said.
“It’s not bad to take time..”
“Maybe.. but it’s more fun when it all goes in a rush and has some cool but kicking guys or girls in them.”
Kristl snapped her mouth shut.
Then Henry grinned at her and said, “I liked it. That Bacall girl is one sassy broad.”
“What?”
“Just teasing you.”
“So you liked it too?”
“Sure.. there is this amazing woman in it.. why should I not like it?”
“Ehm..”
“Exact..”
“Just wanted to say one thing..”
“Which is?”
“I like this movie.. but I still like the Maltese Falcon better,” Kristl said.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Marlowe/Bogart seems to be much more cynical in that movie, which seem to be at odds with the romantic overtones in this movie. I sort of feel it’s not quite right.”
“Hold on.. are you now saying you did not like the romantic relation between Marlowe and Vivian Sternwood? Eh Bacall and Bogart?”
“Well.. I did like it, but it was a bit too romantic..”
“Oh I see.. Damned by love..”
“More or less.. I think it should not be that happy for a film noir,” Kristl said.
“It has to be a negative thing..”
“Well not exact.. it can be a happy thing, just with a dark edge,” Kristl said.
“Hmm,” Henry said, “Why can’t it just end with love?”
“Well.. it can.. but it’s not film noir to me.”
“Ah well. As long as it ends nice,” Henry said.
“Quite.”
Merit Coba 
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