Review of Shadow of a Doubt (1943) by Ryan D — 14 Aug 2008
Alfred Hitchcock often said Shadow of a Doubt was his favorite film he made. In short, it isn't mine. While he had previously made 2 films in the United States, both of those were set in England. This was the first American film he made that actually took place in the United States.
Basically, the film is set in what was once a small town (Santa Rosa, CA). A teenage girl (Teresa Wright) is bored and then discovers that her uncle (Joseph Cotten) is coming to visit. She idolizes her uncle but eventually her uncle comes off as rather suspicious. The plot takes forever to get started and even once it starts, it's not all that great. There's a romance that's thrown in that seems completely unnecessary and unrealistic as the two people barely even have a chance to get to know each other. It may have been Hitchcock's favorite, but there's very little I liked about this film.
Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright are the two main actors in this film. They're both pretty good, but their acting doesn't really make up for an otherwise dull film.
Overall, this is not something I'd consider Hitchcock's best. It had its moments but they were few and far between.
65/100.
D.
UP NEXT: To be determined.
This review of Shadow of a Doubt (1943) was written by Ryan D on 14 Aug 2008.
Shadow of a Doubt has generally received very positive reviews.
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