Review of North by Northwest (1959) by Chelsey C — 24 Jul 2018

I am a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock. This was probably my favorite of his movies I have seen thus far.

Hitchcock essentially invented this psychological thriller. An innocent man that finds himself in the middle of a ploy much bigger than himself.

When our main character Roger Thornhill is framed for being Ian Caplin, he is suddenly followed but some very dangerous, killer characters. Though the odds are stacked against him, Roger trudges on to find out the truth of this situation.

The movie feels fresh when compared to the thrillers of today. Our main character Roger is no rugged man. He's almost feminine in his mannerisms and dialect. He has no love interest, he's not particularly likable although he is handsome. He's a mama's boy. We are not following the story of some ferocious or disconcerted man. Ruger is us, clueless, imperfect, and trying to make sense of a life he simply doesn't understand. I think that's why this movie is so damn attractive. We watch Rodger transform into a hero, and we subconsciously think I bet we would do that too!

Any movie fan will tell you that this is a movie, so I won't go into the nitty gritty details of why. You could find a whole book on it online! In general, the filming technique that combines classic Hollywood cinema and Soviet Montage results in an utterly exhilarating experience. A comical and quirky dialogue bestowed upon handsome actors. A convoluted plot that the audience has the satisfaction of watching be resolved. I believe that Hitchcock's movie is what other film makers today look to for inspiration. He made a thriller that incorporates love, comedy, and doesn't leave the viewer feeling befuddled or bored (think inception or X-Men).

If you're looking for a movie that reminds you how thrillers became a genre in Hollywood, this is the movie for you!