Character Analysis
It's Not Over Until the Fat Man Sings
Gutman has been pursuing the Falcon for a long time. We're not sure exactly how long, or how many people he's eaten to get to it. Okay, that is a cheap fat joke, but it's done in the spirit of The Maltese Falcon. This movie isn't gentle about Gutman being a large man. His nickname is simply "the fat man" and his name is Gutman, emphasizing his giant gut. And you know what? Gutman totally owns being a plus-sized dapper chapper.
For a "bad" guy, Gutman is much more upfront (and less shady) with Spade than Brigid is. During one of his first interactions with Spade, Gutman says, "Well, sir, here's to plain speaking and clear understanding." He falls into the strange category of honorable criminal. He'd fit perfectly into a Mafia movie.
However, Gutman also says, "I'm a man not easily discouraged when I want something." He's more than willing to discard any of his alleged honor and trust to get the Falcon. He drugs Spade, he lies to Spade about how much money he'll pay him (making us wonder if he's simply shady, or if he isn't as rich as we might be led to believe), and he sells out his own lackey, Wilmer, when Spade needs a fall guy to turn in to the police.
Gutman discovers the Falcon is a fake at the end of the movie, but we think this might be a blessing in disguise for him:
GUTMAN: Seventeen years I've wanted that little item, and have been trying to get it. If we must spend another year on the quest...
He has a one-track mind, and his train of thought is an express pointed directly at the Falcon. If he actually found the Falcon, what else would he do? Not finding the real one means that Gutman can continue his quest…if the cops don't get to him first.