Review of I Confess (1953) by Luke P — 15 Oct 2008
If you knew what he knew, what would you do?, cried the tag-line for Alfred Hitchcock's I Confess, and it's a fantastic premise. A Catholic priest is told, via a man's confession, that he has murdered another man, and via a complex series of events, finds himself as the number one suspect in said murder.
He is then torn between his morals, his religious oaths, and his desire to avoid prison. This is played perfectly in the performance of Montgomery Clift, who sells every feeling and emotion with a glance of his pretty eyes.
This is also a beautifully shot film, the black-and-white photography is stunning, almost noir-like; and the music score is excellent, while Hitchcock's direction is, naturally, flawless. The film also transcends several genres, going from thriller, to romance, to courtroom drama effortlessly.
A brilliant little film, one of Hitch's lesser known gems, which I thoroughly enjoyed. An interesting subject matter is handled powerfully, in a visually arresting, superbly acted film, and I will now seek out more Montgomery Clift films, because he is excellent in this.
This review of I Confess (1953) was written by Luke P on 15 Oct 2008.
I Confess has generally received positive reviews.
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