I wasn't that into it at first but by the end I was enthralled. It's definitely one of my favorite Hitchcock films. Claude Rains gave a really great and subtle performance here.
Not quite as enjoyable for me compared to the vast majority of Hitchcock's movies. The first half of the film is rather slow and pacing is a major issue. The screen chemistry between Bergman and Grant is good yet seemed rushed in an odd way. They bicker, trade barbs, and get unbelievably jealous over each other's affection like they've been lovers for years when in reality it's been a few days since they met. It just didn't seem like there was enough buildup to support such strong emotion from between them. Claude Rains is a fine addition to the plot and the second half really picks up.
Hitchcock's Notorious is a spy thriller filtered through a love triangle that makes everything more difficult for the protagonists. You really don't have to ask me twice to watch Ingrid Bergman in a movie, even if her accent's gonna be a little muddled (is it me, or is she doing "Hard American Dame" in the first scene? - well, I know people who switch to a British accent when they're drunk, so maybe). She's sent into a nest of Nazis who have scurried to South America based on her treasonous father's associations, meant to seduce Claude Rains, which is a problem because she and Cary Grant have (naturally) fallen in love. So she can do the deed, Grant patriotically rejects her, and from then on, it's all heightened emotions and edge-of-your-seat film making. I found myself gripped watching a wine bottle slowly slip off a shelf, or leaning in at insert shots of keys and cups. And man, Hitch is really pushing at the Hays Code's limits in this one. Bergman is not-not... Notorious! Oh sorry, how did that song come into my head? While the plot can sometimes be a little abrupt on some points, it's Hitchcock being Hitchcock and working with a stellar cast, so I can forgive it.
They begin by having Alicia ride by on a horse to re spark a relationship with Sebastian. Ingrid Bergman only gets one "in all the gin joints in all the world" moments. Are we as an audience just supposed to accept that Sebastian is a lovelorn moron that suspects nothing. Continuing. Sebastian is now aware of Devlin and what he looks like. I know it is 1946 but spy 101 is not have the spyee know what the contact looks like and it goes without saying that the spy not meet up with the known contact openly.
As per usual, Hitchcock built up the suspense and I found myself caring for Alicia's well being. And per usual (atleast for me) I hated Cary Grant. I found myself screaming at my television telling Devlin to frak off and not blow her cover.
I understand that Cary Grant is a highly regarded actor. But I do not agree that he is fit for every role. He plays an overconfident dick very well. So he was perfect for films such as Bringing up Baby, Arsenic and Old Lace, and personal favorite His Girl Friday because each film called for an overconfident dick. This film needed a spy or just about anyone with common sense.
I apologize again for my rant. I just find that the members of this site do more to reconcile my feelings toward a movie better than imdb, where they correct my spelling/grammar and tell me that I am too young to appreciate film.
@Kurt and Zelta... I too was not impressed by this film upon first viewing, but for some reason it is one of Hitch's that I return to more than most. At this point I've seen it 8 times and every time I get drawn in. I've heard some people are put off by how quickly the relationship between Grant and Bergman jumps off (don't know if that is one of your issues) but again, with more viewings it just seems right, as if they were always meant to be together. I can't convince you to like a movie you didn't like, but if you really are huge Hitchcock fans I can't emphasize enough the value in watching this specific movie again.
@dyin2live, I agree with (some of) your thoughts, especially regarding the spy-business, definitely leaves something to be desired.
As for the movie, it was descent, providing some feelings of suspense but in my mind there was something missing. It's hard to put a finger on it, perhaps a fleshing out of the
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Comments 1 - 15 of 29
ClassicLady
What is there to say? Hitchcock, Cary Grant, Claude Rains, Ingid Bergman... Life just doesn't get any better!hilariousity
I wasn't that into it at first but by the end I was enthralled. It's definitely one of my favorite Hitchcock films. Claude Rains gave a really great and subtle performance here.Holden7
Outstanding finaleJosh_Glover
I liked the sinister ending of the closed door that made me feel a little sympathetic towards Alexander.don_vito
Certainly one of Hitch's best!DisneyStitch
Not quite as enjoyable for me compared to the vast majority of Hitchcock's movies. The first half of the film is rather slow and pacing is a major issue. The screen chemistry between Bergman and Grant is good yet seemed rushed in an odd way. They bicker, trade barbs, and get unbelievably jealous over each other's affection like they've been lovers for years when in reality it's been a few days since they met. It just didn't seem like there was enough buildup to support such strong emotion from between them. Claude Rains is a fine addition to the plot and the second half really picks up.airi86ja
Such a nice romanticism!Ingrid Bergman so feminine and gorgeous! Fit perfectly for this intriguing Hitchcock's film.
Hippiemans
Great director, great cast, great story, great movie!contrafugal
Take that, three second rule.Siskoid
Hitchcock's Notorious is a spy thriller filtered through a love triangle that makes everything more difficult for the protagonists. You really don't have to ask me twice to watch Ingrid Bergman in a movie, even if her accent's gonna be a little muddled (is it me, or is she doing "Hard American Dame" in the first scene? - well, I know people who switch to a British accent when they're drunk, so maybe). She's sent into a nest of Nazis who have scurried to South America based on her treasonous father's associations, meant to seduce Claude Rains, which is a problem because she and Cary Grant have (naturally) fallen in love. So she can do the deed, Grant patriotically rejects her, and from then on, it's all heightened emotions and edge-of-your-seat film making. I found myself gripped watching a wine bottle slowly slip off a shelf, or leaning in at insert shots of keys and cups. And man, Hitch is really pushing at the Hays Code's limits in this one. Bergman is not-not... Notorious! Oh sorry, how did that song come into my head? While the plot can sometimes be a little abrupt on some points, it's Hitchcock being Hitchcock and working with a stellar cast, so I can forgive it.nick-samuel
Dat key shot...dyin2live
Found the storyline to be extremely frustrating.As per usual, Hitchcock built up the suspense and I found myself caring for Alicia's well being. And per usual (atleast for me) I hated Cary Grant. I found myself screaming at my television telling Devlin to frak off and not blow her cover.
I understand that Cary Grant is a highly regarded actor. But I do not agree that he is fit for every role. He plays an overconfident dick very well. So he was perfect for films such as Bringing up Baby, Arsenic and Old Lace, and personal favorite His Girl Friday because each film called for an overconfident dick. This film needed a spy or just about anyone with common sense.
I apologize again for my rant. I just find that the members of this site do more to reconcile my feelings toward a movie better than imdb, where they correct my spelling/grammar and tell me that I am too young to appreciate film.
Duval Spit
@Kurt and Zelta... I too was not impressed by this film upon first viewing, but for some reason it is one of Hitch's that I return to more than most. At this point I've seen it 8 times and every time I get drawn in. I've heard some people are put off by how quickly the relationship between Grant and Bergman jumps off (don't know if that is one of your issues) but again, with more viewings it just seems right, as if they were always meant to be together. I can't convince you to like a movie you didn't like, but if you really are huge Hitchcock fans I can't emphasize enough the value in watching this specific movie again.max-scl
Why "señorita" if they're in Brazil?Angellike
@dyin2live, I agree with (some of) your thoughts, especially regarding the spy-business, definitely leaves something to be desired.As for the movie, it was descent, providing some feelings of suspense but in my mind there was something missing. It's hard to put a finger on it, perhaps a fleshing out of the
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