Review of Charade (1963) by Gavin S — 11 Dec 2013

It's not easy to combine a thriller with a comedy...however, Charade does that perfectly. Thanks in no small part to the talents of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, who have a fantastic chemistry together.

This is the non-Hitchcock Hitchcock film. Grant was an older man by this time, yet still oozes suave charm and sharp wit; paired against the gorgeous Hepburn who's comedic chops weren't exactly lacking either.

When you add the direction of Stanley Donen and the screenplay of Peter Stone, you have a winner. Doesn't hurt that your support cast includes such stars as: Walter Matthau, James Coburn, and George Kennedy.

This film plays like a love letter to earlier Grant-Hitchcock work like North by Northwest, Notorious, and To Catch a Thief. Grant only made 2 more films after this, and retired from acting in 1966; it's a testament to what an actor he was that he was still on top of his game here, and didn't look out of place in the action sequences (one always worries that they'll end up looking like Roger Moore's Bond in the early 80s when a star doesn't quite convince they can be physical anymore).

The pairing with Hepburn really works well, she seems to bring out a very natural performance in Grant. The story has twists and turns and keeps you guessing, and even if you do figure a few things out, it won't spoil the film for you at all.

A bona-fide classic, and one you can enjoy again and again. Please do!