Review of Shadow of a Doubt (1943) by Jason R — 08 Oct 2008
Shadow of a Doubt is a sinister thriller that charms you with Teresa Wright's luminous presence, but simultaneously unsettles you with Joseph Cotton's insidious evil.
It was also Alfred Hitchcock's personal favourite, as he was interested in the contrast of the innocent and naïve small town America, whose closed community is so isolated from the dark perversions of the big cities.
In this movie, the darkness infringes upon the Arcadian world in the form of Joseph Cotton's Uncle Charlie; the 'Merry Widow' murderer, whose charming exterior masks a cold heart and malignant soul. He escapes from Philadelphia and journeys to sleepy Santa Rosa, to hide out with his sister and her family, who are completely unaware of his true nature.
Within the family is Teresa Wright's Young Charlie, who embodies the small town qualities and worships her uncle. His arrival in Santa Rosa casts a menacing shadow over the town and it is not long before Uncle Charlie's poisonous hatred seeps out, polluting Young Charlie's idyllic existence and threatening her life.
What follows is a remarkably suspenseful game of cat and mouse, brimming with moments of incredible tension that resonate throughout the movie, building to an astounding climax that ultimately shatters Young Charlie's innocence.
Shadow of a Doubt is quite simply one of the greatest achievements in movie-making and, in my opinion, second only to Rear Window in Hitchcock's impressive catalogue of work.
This review of Shadow of a Doubt (1943) was written by Jason R on 08 Oct 2008.
Shadow of a Doubt has generally received very positive reviews.
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