Comparing The Big Sleep-Characterization Of Vivian And Carmen

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The Big Sleep - Characterization of Vivian and Carmen in the Movie and the Book



The characterization of Vivian and Carmen changes drastically depending on whether you are reading the book or watching the movie. The production code forces the women in the movie to become more socially acceptable-Carmen was not crazy and Vivian was not blatantly seductive. Changes that the production code forces on the characterization of the women causes the movie to be somewhat lack luster. The book was full of painstaking description of the women that the movie completely left out.



The production code of the day did not allow the characters do be described as crazy or sexual. The production code expressly forbade it. Even …show more content…

In the book, one of the scenes had Carmen lying naked on Marlowe's bed when he came home. Marlowe had to threaten to throw Carmen out-naked- before she agreed to leave. It really reinforced the characterization that Chandler had used for Carmen. Carmen is very crazy and very sexual. The same scene, in the movie, is shot with Carmen waiting in Marlowe's house fully clothed. He does not have to force her to leave and she does not act nearly as crazy. The production code causes the movie to lack punch because it takes away the precise characterization that Chandler used to describe the women and the situations. The scene is so watered down that it loses the impact that it needs to make the proper impression on those who are watching …show more content…

After reading the book, however, the visual representation is one more thing that causes the movie to lose its impact. In the book, she is described as "baby-like" and as a spoiled brat. In the movie, she is atleast dressed up as a beautiful woman who may be a little spoiled but who is able to, for the most part, take care of herself. This is not the way that Chandler wanted Carmen to be. Carmen is supposed to look atleast a little bit crazy. The changes in Carmen's character pale in contrast to the changes that the movie made to Vivian's character.



If one watched the movie without reading the book, one would never notice the additions of the scenes in which Vivian was involved. The movie develops a relationship between Vivian and Marlowe that changes the entire dynamic of the story. Chandler describes the relationship between Vivian and Marlowe as mainly professional with the exception of one minor indiscretion on Marlowe's part. Vivian and Marlowe end the movie kissing. Instead of being Marlowe's equal as she is in the book, the movie turns Vivian into the romantic interest who had gotten into some trouble covering up for her sister.

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