A detective's job is sniffing out lies. Anyone could be lying to him at any time—his partner, the person he's investigating, or even his client. Sam Spade of The Maltese Falcon has a pretty good sniffer, but it isn't without a blind spot or two.
Wait—what's a blind spot when it comes to your nose? It's called a "congestion zone." Would we lie to you?
Questions about Lies and Deceit
- What are Brigid's "tells"? How can you tell when she is lying? Does Brigid ever tell the truth?
- When does Spade seem to be okay with Bridget's lying? When does her behavior bother or offend him?
- Brigid appears to be the most dishonest character in the movie. Who would you say is the most honest? Who tells the fewest lies?
- Iva, Miles's wife, lied about where she was the night he was murdered. Why did she lie? Where was she?
Chew on This
Take a peek at these thesis statements. Agree or disagree?
Spade is just as deceitful as Brigid it, playing all sides—her, Gutman, and the cops. But he has a self-justification for why he does it.
The Maltese Falcon is deceitful. Even the real one is a lie because it's a gold statue bedazzled with gemstones and coated with black enamel to disguise its true nature.