North by Northwest
The closing movie event of BIFF 2012 will be held at the Eclipse Center, featuring one of the greatest classics of American Film.
North by Northwest: Many consider it (at least from a plot standpoint) to be Hitchcock’s most accomplished effort. The screenplay, written by Ernest Lehman, keeps the viewer guessing but also provides answers in a timely fashion. For example, when things start going wrong for the protagonist near the beginning, we aren’t forced to wait until the closing scenes to uncover the plot against him. Enough clues are provided early that the intelligent viewer can deduce what’s going on and move to the next mystery. Such intellectual participation, always a Hitchcock hallmark, is sadly lacking in most of today’s so-called “thrillers.”
Cary Grant plays the suave and cultured Roger Thornhill – a twice married, twice divorced Madison Avenue advertising genius who finds himself inexplicably caught in a web of intrigue when he is mistaken for an international spy. Suddenly, Thornhill’s tidy life is turned upside down. He is kidnapped by the mysterious Phillip Vandamm (James Mason), nearly killed by a couple of thugs, arrested for drunk driving, and thrown into jail. Once he is released from police custody, he finds himself framed for murder and on the run. He is aided by the beautiful Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint), who apparently has fallen for his undeniable charms – or has she? And that’s when things are just starting to get complicated.
~ Reelviews.net
Sponsored by
Rate this ➜
