Review of I Confess (1953) by Fernando C — 08 Sep 2007

I didn't think this film was half as bad as I had read. In fact, I thought it was very good. I must point out, however, that it feels nothing like Hitchcock, so maybe that hurts it considerably. One shouldn't watch films in comparison of others (unless they're remakes, regardless of what anyone says), but once you know how deep and interesting Hitchcock was, "I Confess" comes off as bland and plain.

On its own, it's a simple, but beautifully made film (I liked some camera movements, the edition), tightly made and calculated. What hurts it is that it seems as if Clift is playing a different film (a more intimate, "Diary of a Country Priest" type) from Hitchcock's view, and there it's the director's fault.

For, if given proper time and images, Clift would have been giving a terrific performance, and this film would actually ask very important questions, becoming an outstandingly different picture. Yet it all fails and falls down under the "suspenseful" tone it was treated with.

Still, it's good viewing, and entertaining.