In this unforeseen neo noir Robert Altman is moulding the Philip Marlowe one would like to have as a son, a brother, why not, a father for his (better, her) child. Because, alas, we would all like to have Philip Marlowe as a lover anyways, no matter how harsh, senseless or misogynist he seems at times (speaking mainly of on-screen portrayals here); we all share some excitement for the strong,