"A man doesn’t tell a woman what to do; she tells herself."
Despite its superior artistry, Alfred Hitchcock’s noir romance Notorious never attained the same degree of notoriety as the Michael Curtiz’s comparable Casablanca. The two classics share a number of important aspects: captivating star Ingrid Bergman, consummate character actor Claude Rains, and a plot fueled by Nazi intrigue that forces patriotic loyalties in conflict with deepest individual desires. The master of suspense brings an unmatched level of restraint to every aspect of this work. The postwar spy story requires the characters to conceal the truth, and forces the actors to reveal their thoughts through the smallest nuances of facial expressions. Leading man Cary Grant plays against type, burying his manic screwball charm under layers of self-control. The film’s romantic moments manage to duplicate the same tension level as the thrilling espionage scenes. Under a mask of bitterness, the two lovers hide their own vulnerabilities as tirelessly as they protect their undercover identities. Hitchcock’s stylistic flourishes (rotating camera, tracking shots, zooms, edits) make a lasting impact, because he holds back the most powerful punches until the ideal knockout moment.
Despite its superior artistry, Alfred Hitchcock’s noir romance Notorious never attained the same degree of notoriety as the Michael Curtiz’s comparable Casablanca. The two classics share a number of important aspects: captivating star Ingrid Bergman, consummate character actor Claude Rains, and a plot fueled by Nazi intrigue that forces patriotic loyalties in conflict with deepest individual desires. The master of suspense brings an unmatched level of restraint to every aspect of this work. The postwar spy story requires the characters to conceal the truth, and forces the actors to reveal their thoughts through the smallest nuances of facial expressions. Leading man Cary Grant plays against type, burying his manic screwball charm under layers of self-control. The film’s romantic moments manage to duplicate the same tension level as the thrilling espionage scenes. Under a mask of bitterness, the two lovers hide their own vulnerabilities as tirelessly as they protect their undercover identities. Hitchcock’s stylistic flourishes (rotating camera, tracking shots, zooms, edits) make a lasting impact, because he holds back the most powerful punches until the ideal knockout moment.
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