From its opening sequence on the train, SUSPICION is a different sort of Alfred Hitchcock film. The first meeting of Johnnie and Lina (Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine) is very playful and humorous. Johnnie appears, at first, to be another of Grant's characters from one of his comedies. Ms. Fontaine seems overly prim, in a sort of overdone, spinster way.
Of course, this is a Hitchcock film, so it's not so cut-and-dried.
The tension mounts as a true whirlwind romance blooms. Lina is swept away by her love for Johnnie, who is, at the very least, a shiftless playboy. At worst, he could be what Lina begins to suspect he is.
What's great about SUSPICION is its ambiguity. Lina is presented with facts and experiences that do seem to add up to something sinister. She even refuses to believe it at first, but the evidence mounts. Or does it? Hitchcock builds the suspense slowly, throwing in a few scenes that make us really question Johnnie's motives and his happy-go-lucky demeanor. One scene in particular makes us see him, and Grant, in a whole new, darker light!
The ending has been debated since the movie's debut. It really can be taken in more than one way. One interpretation leads to a long, blissful life. The other, not so much. Whichever way one looks at it, this movie is another classic from the Director.
Special mention must go to Nigel Bruce for his wonderful portrayal of Beaky. Also, Sir Cedric Hardwick, Leo G. Carroll, and Isabel Jeans have solid, smaller roles that help to flesh things out...
Of course, this is a Hitchcock film, so it's not so cut-and-dried.
The tension mounts as a true whirlwind romance blooms. Lina is swept away by her love for Johnnie, who is, at the very least, a shiftless playboy. At worst, he could be what Lina begins to suspect he is.
What's great about SUSPICION is its ambiguity. Lina is presented with facts and experiences that do seem to add up to something sinister. She even refuses to believe it at first, but the evidence mounts. Or does it? Hitchcock builds the suspense slowly, throwing in a few scenes that make us really question Johnnie's motives and his happy-go-lucky demeanor. One scene in particular makes us see him, and Grant, in a whole new, darker light!
The ending has been debated since the movie's debut. It really can be taken in more than one way. One interpretation leads to a long, blissful life. The other, not so much. Whichever way one looks at it, this movie is another classic from the Director.
Special mention must go to Nigel Bruce for his wonderful portrayal of Beaky. Also, Sir Cedric Hardwick, Leo G. Carroll, and Isabel Jeans have solid, smaller roles that help to flesh things out...