The mystery is convoluted, and I never have been able to keep all the names straight.

But who could get tired of Powell (Nick Charles) and Loy (Nora Charles) trading wisecracks and drinking non-stop? You know you're in for something special when Nora arrives late to the bar and orders 5 martinis to be brought all at once so she can catch up.

Timeless.

Just an all-time great blend of comedy and mystery. Thrilling chemistry between Powell and Loy. Has aged BRILLIANTLY. (A)

Nominated for multiple Academy Awards despite being filmed in a mere 14 days and featuring a plot that is nearly impossible to follow, the success of The Thin Man - as well as its many sequels - is a testament to the chemistry of the two leads, William Powell and Myrna Loy, who are so much fun to watch booze and bicker that you almost forget that the mystery plot is occasionally putting their lives in danger. The plot is barely important, Nick and Norah Charles get pulled into the fray when the scientist father of an acquaintance goes missing, but the alcohol-tinged, flirty charisma of the leads is infinitely infectious.

This movie is perfect.

"Well, can't you tell us anything about the case?"
"Yes, it's putting me way behind in my drinking"

Super entertaining. I've also just been informed that there are 6 of these, so I'm going to be busy.

Less about the convoluted procedural investigation into the murder plot than the crisp chemistry of Powell and Loy's Charles couple. The film's playful tone and success relies largely to the pair's on-screen chemistry and the lived-in sense of their relationship communicated through their banter. Some of the more overt slapstick elements are less easily sewn into the film, but the levity inserted through humour carries a genuine charm. Van Dyke's direction mostly stays out of the way of the actors, which works given the strength of the performances and the film's focus on dialogue as its main expositional method.

And, can I just say, what a parade of strange and wonderful ladies' hats.

A very interesting film, mostly due to the strangeness of some of the directorial choices. Stylistically it often resembles a noir but in terms of story and characters it is anything but.

"Well, can't you tell us anything about the case?"
"Yes, it's putting me way behind in my drinking"

Funny and utterly enjoyable, plenty of one-liners, mostly about booze - all good clean fun.

Watched on DVD. Easily one of the best films to drink to. A noir-ish mystery where the mystery takes second billing to the witty banter of Nick and Nora Charles, played effortlessly by Powell and Loy. A fantastically quotable film, but the lines are so fast-paced that they're frequently lost under the next lines or the audience's laughter at previous ones. Takes a few viewings to catch everything, but it's well worth your time. The mystery kind of fizzles, but I love the finale with Nick shooting almost completely in the dark.

Top-notch comedic entertainment. A brilliant and iconic performance from William Powell and an equally fantastic foil from Myrna Loy.

Loy and Powell certainly have chemistry and its little wonder that this film begot as many sequels as it did, but, at 80 years, The Thin Man shows its age. The plotting isn't the tightest, nor are the mystery elements treated with any particular urgency; the stars of the film are the two leads and their witty repartee.

That said, I'm looking forward to seeing Powell and Loy in the rest of the series.