Topaz (1969)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   In Topaz, another Cold War spy thriller, Hitchcock adapted a best-selling novel based on true events surrounding an exposed Soviet spy in the French government. Though it has its Hitchcockian moments - the dress that simulates a pool of blood, the way he uses silence to suggest secrecy, and generally how scenes are put together - this feels more like a procedural than a thriller. It keeps changing protagonists, for example, making use of a large international cast with variable accents. No big stars, as critics are fond of saying, but I recognized several actors from the TV of that time, giving Topaz the feel of a Mission Impossible episode at times. A lot of attention is paid to real-life spycraft, which I like, and Hitch really does make something of every sequence, even if those sequences seem to belong to different stories. The music, I thought, was one of the film's weaknesses. I miss Hermann, I guess. 8 years 9 months ago
2. 

   Collateral

   I won't say this movie doesn't have anything when it comes to the "Hitchcock vibe". But the suspense, the interesting shots and the storytelling as a whole are all sub par. Not only is this the worst of the Hitchcock movies I've seen - it's plainly just uninteresting to me at least. Some claim that true movie lovers should care for this and that it is misunderstood but I just can't agree with this. I don't think the movie is engaging and I believe the pacing to be heavy handed. Too many characters and weak performances all around. Now this last point is not about me missing name stars - I just don't think these actors are interesting to watch or deliver their lines in interesting ways. 10 years 1 month ago
3. 

   Vinsmid

   At times looks like a bad soap opera. Has none of the inventiveness that Sir Alfred stands for in my view. A disappointment for me. 11 years 6 months ago

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