SUSPICION
Cary Grant gave his best performances for Alfred Hitchcock. To invariably blend a touch of sinister ambition along with an ample dash of the jollies and a robust self-confidence, Grant rivals only Jimmy Stewart for the honor of being the most successful leading man in the Hitchcock pantheon. In Suspicion, he plays a cad named Johnnie, the sort of scoundrel we just know is going to break the heart of poor Joan Fontaine, who plays--embodies--the role of Lina, aka Monkey Face. Around every corner, Johnnie borrows and spends Lina's money, yet his explanations likewise contain a substantial amount of plausibility. Being that he is Cary Grant, the audience is inclined to want him to be the victim of circumstance he claims himself to be, especially in the realm of Lina, a woman who seems much more appropriately called Girl, as well as with Nigel Bruce, the former Dr. Watson who plays Beaky, whose nickname, if he needed another, might be humble stooge sidekick.
The movie hasn't much of a plot and the cinematic inventions are missing. Still, the utter charm of the leads collides against the will the audience actually brings to this, one of Hitchcock's most satisfying efforts.
It must be an incredible thing to be able to understand, anticipate and utilize the point of view of the audience. To know that the crowds of popcorn eaters will want Johnnie to ultimately be a good guy because they in turn will feel protective of Lina, sympathetic toward Beaky and maladjusted toward any rumors that run contrary--and then to use that pre-existing point of view to manipulate it as a component of the tension and suspense--that alone would make Hitchcock a master.
Cary Grant gave his best performances for Alfred Hitchcock. To invariably blend a touch of sinister ambition along with an ample dash of the jollies and a robust self-confidence, Grant rivals only Jimmy Stewart for the honor of being the most successful leading man in the Hitchcock pantheon. In Suspicion, he plays a cad named Johnnie, the sort of scoundrel we just know is going to break the heart of poor Joan Fontaine, who plays--embodies--the role of Lina, aka Monkey Face. Around every corner, Johnnie borrows and spends Lina's money, yet his explanations likewise contain a substantial amount of plausibility. Being that he is Cary Grant, the audience is inclined to want him to be the victim of circumstance he claims himself to be, especially in the realm of Lina, a woman who seems much more appropriately called Girl, as well as with Nigel Bruce, the former Dr. Watson who plays Beaky, whose nickname, if he needed another, might be humble stooge sidekick.
The movie hasn't much of a plot and the cinematic inventions are missing. Still, the utter charm of the leads collides against the will the audience actually brings to this, one of Hitchcock's most satisfying efforts.
It must be an incredible thing to be able to understand, anticipate and utilize the point of view of the audience. To know that the crowds of popcorn eaters will want Johnnie to ultimately be a good guy because they in turn will feel protective of Lina, sympathetic toward Beaky and maladjusted toward any rumors that run contrary--and then to use that pre-existing point of view to manipulate it as a component of the tension and suspense--that alone would make Hitchcock a master.
