Script review - "Harper" by William Goldman (re-reading)

Goldman's written about his experiences with this in his memoirs-  it was his first full length produced script. It holds up reasonably well - the dialogue is very Goldman, flip and tough. I haven't read any Ross MacDonald - the plot seems perfectly serviceable, a collection of scenes. The roles aren't bad - treacherous secretary, thug, stressed out killer, druggy singer The male roles are better than the female ones - the parts of the missing man's wife and Harper's wife for instance feel under-used. I wasn't wild about the ending being unsure whether Harper was going to be shot or not. Not enjoyably vague.