MovieChat Forums > The Maltese Falcon (1941) Discussion > The 'romance' between O'Shaughnessy and ...

The 'romance' between O'Shaughnessy and Sam

posted 11 years ago by FilmKoala
9 replies | jump to latest

I can't be the only one that has a problem with it, am I? I just couldn't buy into Sam actually being in love with Brigid. She did nothing but lie to him the entire film, and he knows it. He's known since their very first encounter that she's a liar and he even calls her out on it. "Do you ever fight square with me for half an hour at a stretch since I've known you?" Not to mention she's trouble, and she killed his partner. She did nothing in this film that would make me believe that Sam would have fallen for her. Maybe it's just the general lack of chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor, or the fact that Mary Astor isn't exactly a sex symbol, but I was genuinely caught off guard when Sam tells Brigid that he loved her.

I absolutely loved the ending because I was sure that this film would fall under the stereotypical "Guy forgives girl because they love each other and then live happily ever after" umbrella that we see in a ton of movies. But no, Sam turns her in for her various crimes. Thank God for that.

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"Ram this in your clambake, bitchcakes!"

[–] heyuactor 11 years ago

I don't have a problem believing it. He didn't care if she lied to him or not, in the beginning. He'd probably known a lot of conniving women in his profession, and she was lovely and tempting to him, regardless.

I've been in love with a couple of women I later found out weren't the ones for me, too.

"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] jdreck 11 years ago

That's why she's the perfect Femme Fatale!

[–] LuvvieHowell 10 years ago

I completely agree with the OP on this one. Bridgette seems too old for Bogie, and they have zero chemistry.

I would have liked to see someone besides Astor in that role. She's attractive, yes, but by no means a bombshell.

[–] Darthmauler_megaa 10 years ago

Too old for Bogie? Bogie wasn't exactly a spring chicken (and was older than Astor). This was actually one of the rare occasions where you didn't have an older guy laughingly paired with a 20 year old. The last thing I'd want to see is Spade being torn on Bridgett's fate purely because "she's hot." The movie is smarter than that.

"Whoever he is, this 'Torch' is dangerous...He has a sense of humor!"

[–] kaskait 10 years ago

He loves every little lie she gives him. He almost asks for more of it. And he knows she knows he is on to her and yet still she goes on. He likes that little girl act, big girl lies and the fact she jumps into bed with him with no shame at all.

She is like a female version of him and he wants her and he is in love with her. Maybe he doesn't want to be but heck, sometimes none of us have any choice over who we fall in love with.

I believe him when he says he'll wait for her and that he'll think of her. He knows she was counting on love winning and it tears him up but he is an honest guy when all is done.

[–] snsurone 10 years ago

However, if she was hanged by her "sweet neck", he wouldn't have to wait.
Besides, I don't think Iva Archer would put up with Sam's being with another woman.
LOL

[–] Errington_92 9 years ago

He loves every little lie she gives him. He almost asks for more of it. And he knows she knows he is on to her and yet still she goes on. He likes that little girl act, big girl liesand the fact she jumps into bed with him with no shame at all.

She is like a female version of him and he wants her and he is in love with her.

I saw their relationship from Sam's perspective as simply sexual attraction. Sam enjoyed playing along with O'Shaughnessy to a point, but he was wise enough to know that there could never be real love between them.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

[–] kaskait 9 years ago

No, he is really in love.

That is what makes the last scene so powerful. He met the one and the one was the wrong woman on all accounts.

[–] kenny-164 8 years ago

As has been noted elsewhere part of the problem understanding this relationship is that the Hayes Code meant that in showing what was going on between them, they had to be very subtle. Yet it was clear that Brigid and Sam spent the night together at his place. Their behavior changed, and Sam was attracted to her from the beginning. They were age appropriate, and she was more appealing than Mrs. Archer.

He didn't know she was a duplicitous murderer until after they'd already gotten started.

In the end he turned her over to the cops. What happens after the film ends? I can see arguments on both sides. Personally I think me moves on.