Hitchcock was notorious for creating suspense this sharp...
Added 9/22/2009
Holding tension and creating a surreal atmosphere of suspense was a specialty of one Alfred Hitchcock, and so it's no surprise that there are moments in `Notorious' where the viewer can do nothing but sit with baited breath awaiting the inevitable (one moment in particular, where Grant and Bergman are alone in a dark bedroom near the films end, is particularly heart-stopping). What is special about `Notorious' is that, not only are we completely engrossed in the tense espionage storyline, we are also given the added layer of sensual tension between Grant and Bergman that literally sizzles on contact. Grant was known for his charm and natural appeal, but Bergman eats him alive with her emotionally invested performance.
They make a marvelous on-screen pair.
My one, and this is a big one, problem with the film is the lack of plot development. There are three stories developing here, and only two of them are really given the time needed to make us care. First, we have the relationship between Grant's character and Bergman's; second we have the suspense driven plot involving Bergman's placement in the care of Alexander Sebastian (played by Academy Award nominee Claude Rains in a brilliantly nuanced performance); third is the actual reason she is there, to uncover Sebastian's plans. The first two sections of the plot are developed nicely, but when it comes to understanding and caring about `why' she is there, well, it just doesn't mesh as nicely as I would have liked it. The film is relatively short for this type of a film. You could have easily added another thirty to forty minutes and fleshed it out masterfully.
And in the hands of Hitchcock, forty minutes would have been well spent.
To me, that is a big thing because I am all about plot development, and so the lack of texture to that portion of the script left me wanting something more, and I hated wanting that (even if the films closing was mesmerizing in itself). All other facets of the film though, come together effortlessly and just sizzle with excitement. As far as the chemistry between Grant and Bergman is concerned; they nail it. Grant is effortless in his transition from charmer to stone-faced bitterness as he watches the woman he loves take on a job he wishes she'd turn down, but like I mentioned, this is Bergman's show. Ingrid Bergman is one of my all time favorite actresses and her performance here is yet another reason as to why I love her so much. The way that she shifts from floozy seductress to loyal lover to scorned soul to internally terrified prisoner is, in a word, magnificent. Add to her transition the intensely powerful presence of Claude Rains and you have classic Hitchcock suspense.
The supporting cast is also spot on, especially that of Madame Konstantin who played Sebastian's mother Anna. Her presence is a powerhouse, although her character is a bit of a cliché (the overbearing mother type is overplayed quite a bit in cinema, don't you think).
In the end I recommend this film. It is a great movie, even if it could have been better had a little time been taken to really develop a certain portion of the plot. The casting is perfect, the dialog is appropriate and Hitchcock's keen eye for dramatic delivery is more than consistent and effective.
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1946 Hitchcock
Added 9/15/2009
Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant work well together on this film and have a certain chemistry between them. The film itself is a mystery, suspense, drama, shot in B/W.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Top-Notch Hitchcock
Added 9/12/2009
This film is one of Hitchcock's finest. Everything is well done-- the script, the casting, the acting, the pacing, the camera moves, the overall feel... it may be as close to perfect as film making gets. The extras on the MGM DVD add to the value. Well done. The transfer and sound are just fine too. Highly recommended.
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Cary Grant & Ingrid Bergman work very well together in this
Added 7/21/2009
thriller of wartime intrique & romance. Sinister goings on in Rio. Alicia's (Bergman) father has just been convicted of being a Nazi spy. Alicia is distraught but goes to a party where she is getting very drunk. Into her life steps secret agent Devlin(Grant). His assignment is to recruit her as a double agent to infiltrate a Nazi spy ring operating out of Rio. She is familiar with one of the Nazi leaders, Alex (Claude Raines)who already lusts after her. In the course of her briefings, Devlin & Alicia fall in love. The steamiest love scenes of the movie ensue. Devlin is starting to have doubts about their mission. But she's a patriotic American & is all for going on. She gets close to Alex real close, marrying close. Now it's Devlin turn to be disttaught. He is pissed & disgusted by how far she'll go. But she is getting the goods on the Nazis. Eventually they start suspecting her. The tension builds in that trademark Hitchcock way as the Nazis plot to get rid of her. Raines is delicious as the charming yet repugnant Nazi. The climax comes quickly & is quite a surprise.
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Notorious
Added 5/29/2009
I love this movie! The acting and plot are fabulous. With Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman how can you go wrong.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Hitchcock was notorious for creating suspense this sharp...
Added 9/22/2009
Holding tension and creating a surreal atmosphere of suspense was a specialty of one Alfred Hitchcock, and so it's no surprise that there are moments in `Notorious' where the viewer can do nothing but sit with baited breath awaiting the inevitable (one moment in particular, where Grant and Bergman are alone in a dark bedroom near the films end, is particularly heart-stopping). What is special about `Notorious' is that, not only are we completely engrossed in the tense espionage storyline, we are also given the added layer of sensual tension between Grant and Bergman that literally sizzles on contact. Grant was known for his charm and natural appeal, but Bergman eats him alive with her emotionally invested performance.
They make a marvelous on-screen pair.
My one, and this is a big one, problem with the film is the lack of plot development. There are three stories developing here, and only two of them are really given the time needed to make us care. First, we have the relationship between Grant's character and Bergman's; second we have the suspense driven plot involving Bergman's placement in the care of Alexander Sebastian (played by Academy Award nominee Claude Rains in a brilliantly nuanced performance); third is the actual reason she is there, to uncover Sebastian's plans. The first two sections of the plot are developed nicely, but when it comes to understanding and caring about `why' she is there, well, it just doesn't mesh as nicely as I would have liked it. The film is relatively short for this type of a film. You could have easily added another thirty to forty minutes and fleshed it out masterfully.
And in the hands of Hitchcock, forty minutes would have been well spent.
To me, that is a big thing because I am all about plot development, and so the lack of texture to that portion of the script left me wanting something more, and I hated wanting that (even if the films closing was mesmerizing in itself). All other facets of the film though, come together effortlessly and just sizzle with excitement. As far as the chemistry between Grant and Bergman is concerned; they nail it. Grant is effortless in his transition from charmer to stone-faced bitterness as he watches the woman he loves take on a job he wishes she'd turn down, but like I mentioned, this is Bergman's show. Ingrid Bergman is one of my all time favorite actresses and her performance here is yet another reason as to why I love her so much. The way that she shifts from floozy seductress to loyal lover to scorned soul to internally terrified prisoner is, in a word, magnificent. Add to her transition the intensely powerful presence of Claude Rains and you have classic Hitchcock suspense.
The supporting cast is also spot on, especially that of Madame Konstantin who played Sebastian's mother Anna. Her presence is a powerhouse, although her character is a bit of a cliché (the overbearing mother type is overplayed quite a bit in cinema, don't you think).
In the end I recommend this film. It is a great movie, even if it could have been better had a little time been taken to really develop a certain portion of the plot. The casting is perfect, the dialog is appropriate and Hitchcock's keen eye for dramatic delivery is more than consistent and effective.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
1946 Hitchcock
Added 9/15/2009
Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant work well together on this film and have a certain chemistry between them. The film itself is a mystery, suspense, drama, shot in B/W.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Top-Notch Hitchcock
Added 9/12/2009
This film is one of Hitchcock's finest. Everything is well done-- the script, the casting, the acting, the pacing, the camera moves, the overall feel... it may be as close to perfect as film making gets. The extras on the MGM DVD add to the value. Well done. The transfer and sound are just fine too. Highly recommended.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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