ZebraspotsNorth by Northwest (1959)
March 17th 2008 06:28
One of the lesser used methods of trying to kill somebody
Some can create something from nothing. North by Northwest (1959) starts off with advertising executive and mama’s boy, Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) being mistaken for a government agent, and consequently being kidnapped. From this mysterious starting point the movie continues with added twists and layers, creating an involving thriller. Alfred Hitchcock, his talented cast of actors and writer Ernest Lehman created something from nothing. These days movies that start off with an ordinary man caught in an extraordinary situation collapse on themselves as the plot becomes confusing and stupid. If North by Northwest was made today, it would star Will Smith spurting lame dialogue from a convoluted plot that didn’t make sense.
North by Northwest is a great Hitchcock classic. Refer to this movie for the classic scene where Cary Grant finds himself running across a field from a crop duster. It also has one of the best car chase scenes with the hero struggling to drive his car while totally drunk.
The dialogue is snappy and well written, especially between Thornhill and Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint). Characters flirting in movies just isn’t as entertaining as it used to be.
‘Eve: I’m a big girl.
Roger: Yeah, and in all the right places too.’
North by Northwest succeeds at being a love story as well as a thriller, with Eva Marie Saint playing the saucy seductress who isn’t everything she seems to be.
Watch out for the Hitchcock cameo in the opening credits- he misses a bus.
4 out of 5
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Comment by Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
Terrible, terrible final chase on the 4 presidents though. Ugh.
- Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
www.backtotheeighties.net
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
i can't imagine someone not being able to appreciate this superb thriller. One of Hitchcock's most successfully constructed rides.
Love the interplay between Eva marie saint and cary Grant, brilliant script.
Comment by Nathan 1
This film had some great comic moments too. When Roger Thornhill is made to get drunk and then ends up back at the police station babbling and staggering all over the place it's great. Shame James Mason's part wa so small though; he was one slick villain.
Nathan
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Comment by Holly Go Lightly
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