Review of I Confess (1953) by Scott M — 03 Jan 2008

Alfred Hitchcock continues to amaze me in each one of his films. Not all of them are Rear Window's or Vertigo's but there is a brilliance, far ahead of its time that inhabits each film in one way or another. In "I Confess", we are introduced to a very unlikely character, Fr. Michael Logan, played by Montgomery Clift. I have no idea how a film starring a Catholic priest was made, but Hitchcock made it happen. I was a bit nervous going into this film because come on, a movie about a priest? They donâ??t make for the most interesting characters...so I thought. Fr. Michael is one of the deepest Hitchcock characters I"ve ever seen. He is so complex and interesting, and extremely well acted by Montgomery Clift.

Fr. Logan is put in a situation where he must choose to honor his vows or save his own life. He hears the confession of a man who has just murdered. The murderer then blames Logan for the murder. Logan is tossed into the chaos of an investigation, problems of his past (before he was priest) coming back to haunt him.

This film is also technically masterful. From the opening shots of street signs throughout the city, to the very dark noir feel when we witness the murderer leaving the crime scene, this film is beautiful to look at.

This is a very underrated Hitchcock thriller.

Hitchcock reaffirms his position as the best director of our time (in my opinion) with this great little film.