Rating of
4/4
North by Northwest review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 09/27/11
An Advertising Executive named Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) has been mistaken for George Kaplan, was abducted by Valerian (Adam Williams) and Licht (Robert Ellenstein). A spy named Phillip Vandamm (James Mason) probes “Kaplan” but unfortunately Thornhill knows nothing. The main protagonist investigates the situation by contacting Lester Townsend at the General Assembly building of the United Nations. He is framed of murdering a diplomat. Roger is still perplexed and meets Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) who aids him from the police constant efforts in searching for him. In the end, the real identity of Kaplan, Eve and the purpose of the pre-Columbian Tarascan statue (microfilm containing government secrets) won at an auction will be unveiled. This will be from an American spymaster named The Professor (Leo G. Carroll) and a few moments where Roger rescues Eve. One of a few superb lines: Roger Thornhill – “Well, I think they said I led too dull a life.” “Yes, the art of survival.” The Professor – “War is hell, Mr. Thornhill. Even when it's a cold war.” Eve Kendall – “You’ve got taste in clothes, taste in food.”
From the artists’ solid performances, scenic cinematography, excellent plot to the exciting score and action coupled with suspenseful scenes. The humor was never lacking from Clara Thornhill (Jessie Royce Landis) and her son Roger. Hitchcock is not only brilliant suspenseful and thrilling scenarios, but also with witty dialogue and gestures of the actors to inject hilarity despite their predicaments and action scenes never before scene. It may not win any awards despite its recognition, film buffs and critics alike respect the visuals, humor and plot. Hitchcock's innovation in directing, casting, directing style and ideas were advanced in its time. I cannot find any old-fashioned moment or flaw from this astonishing movie. Themes of trust, survival, identity, sacrifices and deception, moral values and reality were tackled splendidly. Has one of the most clever endings as well when the train speeding thru the tunnel with Roger and Eve together in the cabin. The special features were filled with trivia’s and process of its creation was meticulously explained by Eva Marie Saint. Combining many film essentials, iconic casts, sensational screenplay to have the best entertainment, North by Northwest is in my opinion of the best crafted movies ever produced, which eventually makes it a classic with or without any recognition from awards bodies.
