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In Reply to: A perfect movie posted by Rico on December 05, 2003 at 10:31:59:
.., which I feel is one of Hitch's more underrated and/or ignored masterpieces. Hitch's vision here seems to have been to make a great, brooding mood piece that (perhaps) did not rely quite so much on symbolism for undercurrent effect. Instead, the feeling of relentless exasperation as the plot unfolds is due to the build-up of more easily recognizable anxieties, played up to the hilt. Trouble unfolds slowly but surely in the dark, cramped atmosphere, "where the worm never dies". It's Hitchcock painting with his low-keyed pallet, tonal rather than coloristic. It's not the type of movie to break box office records, but it's a complete statement and is meticulously crafted - my definition of a "perfect" movie. Henry Fonda was never so good as in this movie, thanks in large part to the way old Hitch mated Fonda's stringy features and measured steps to the storyline. Dark, gutty, nervous tones throughout. This work might be a "Suite For Solo Cello", if it had been a musical composition. Go and see what I mean, if you have not already.
Follow Ups:
I have always had trouble with this movie (appreciating it, that is). Based on these comments, I will seek it out and watch it againa and report back. Thanks.
The keynote (pardon the pun) of this story is set at the start of the film, as Fonda fingers the final chords on his cello at the holiday nightclub performance. Those taut ballons that cram the nightclub ceiling are like the bubbles that are about to burst in Henry's head.., I mean, Henry's life! Later on at home, when a mirror cracks so does his wife. And I love Hitchcock's use of those dark shadows that always seem to always hover down over the characters. Speaking of which, keep an eye on the photography - it's some of the most effective that you'll ever see in a Hitchcock film, and that is really saying something. Perhaps the consummate mastery of Hitchcock's production here is the very thing that will drive some of us away from this film. It truly is a dark chronicle of bad luck and exasperation, with only a tiny glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel. Cheers!
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