Review of North by Northwest (1959) by Matthew C — 16 Mar 2014

It surprised me I haven't reviewed this staple of Hitchcock libraries. Then again I haven't seen it in such a long time and the action packed adventure is not one to miss out on and one that should be revisited for any who love Hitchcock and movies really.

Diverting from his usual tone of suspense, mystery and chills, Hitchcock places grander thrills and designs before our eyes this time around. Grant is the cool leading man. His world is taken from him and the movie primarily deals with how a person goes through life when they don't have control of it or even understand why it's been usurped.

Hitch doesn't explain why this happens or how but rather forces us to consider that if one day we became mixed up in something so interruptive and threatening, would we let it wash over us, go insane, or find the truth no matter the cost.

Eva Marie Saint lends her sensual touch to the film and she plays the femme fatale role with brilliance. Mason matches Grant's cool elegance as a villain of soft smiles and maddening invisible threats.

In a word, a puppet master. This is one of the definitive "framed" films and has inspired countless others. While not my favorite and considered overrated by some, I enjoy North for its scale and iconic set pieces.

Of course Hermann's score has to be mentioned. Arguably one of Hitchcock's big 5.