Hitchcockian. God, I hate that word. It's impossible to critique this movie, though, without using it. This movie is as Hitchcockian as they come. The director isn't just heavily influenced, he's the living reincarnation of Sir Alfred. The reluctant, conspiratorially challenged dashing leading man. The sexy bombshell with the bad accent. The virtuosically filmed lush exotic European locale. The chillingly creepy arch villain. The meticulously engineered ebb and flow of dramatic tension. Like all Hitchcock films, this offering just oozes with style.
Had Hitchock directed this film towards the end of his career (early 70s), it would have garnered him an Academy Award. It's that good. Considering that it's an English speaking film directed by a Spanish speaking director... it's an amazing achievement.
Unfortunately, as much as I'm impressed by the Director's ability to work in another language while channeling the spirit of Hitchcock... this is not the 1970s. This, as I'm sure you're all aware... is 2007. Has anyone watched a Hitchock film lately? Some, not all, were groundbreaking for their time. As appealing as they may have been... this appeal is not timeless. 10 years later, I think they were still pretty awe inspiring. Even after 20 years, I'm sure they held their own. But 40 years later? The movie industry has come a long way since Hitchcock. Historically, Al gets props. Big props. I might even give him the crown of being the most influential film maker of all time. If one were to show Hitchcocks's films on screens next to the better films of today, though... most people would find the films of today to be superior.
It's kind of ironic, actually. This film not only captures the strengths of Hitchcock, it also seems to portray his weaknesses as well. Just like the master, some of the plot points can get stretched a little thin. Plot seems to always play second fiddle to the cultivation of tension and this is no exception. And, like a few of Hitchcock's leading ladies of foreign birth, a mouthful of marbles seems to be a prerequisite.
Don't get me wrong... it's a very good film. It's just not as outrageously wonderful as it would have been had it been presented 40 years ago.
If you love Hitchcock, run to see it. If not, see it anyway, but don't exert yourself too much in the process.
Had Hitchock directed this film towards the end of his career (early 70s), it would have garnered him an Academy Award. It's that good. Considering that it's an English speaking film directed by a Spanish speaking director... it's an amazing achievement.
Unfortunately, as much as I'm impressed by the Director's ability to work in another language while channeling the spirit of Hitchcock... this is not the 1970s. This, as I'm sure you're all aware... is 2007. Has anyone watched a Hitchock film lately? Some, not all, were groundbreaking for their time. As appealing as they may have been... this appeal is not timeless. 10 years later, I think they were still pretty awe inspiring. Even after 20 years, I'm sure they held their own. But 40 years later? The movie industry has come a long way since Hitchcock. Historically, Al gets props. Big props. I might even give him the crown of being the most influential film maker of all time. If one were to show Hitchcocks's films on screens next to the better films of today, though... most people would find the films of today to be superior.
It's kind of ironic, actually. This film not only captures the strengths of Hitchcock, it also seems to portray his weaknesses as well. Just like the master, some of the plot points can get stretched a little thin. Plot seems to always play second fiddle to the cultivation of tension and this is no exception. And, like a few of Hitchcock's leading ladies of foreign birth, a mouthful of marbles seems to be a prerequisite.
Don't get me wrong... it's a very good film. It's just not as outrageously wonderful as it would have been had it been presented 40 years ago.
If you love Hitchcock, run to see it. If not, see it anyway, but don't exert yourself too much in the process.