North by Northwest (1959)

My second Alfred Hitchcock film of the year is North by Northwest. Cary Grant plays Roger Thornhill, a suave advertising man caught up in a case of mistaken identity. His normal life is thrown into turmoil when he is kidnapped by two men working for the mysterious Vandamm (not the muscles from Brussels unfortunately). The thugs think he is a government agent called George Caplan and he is soon plunged into a cross country chase as he tries to prove his identity and save himself from his pursuers. Hitchcock is normally a director famed for horror and suspense, but this film is far more similar to a modern spy or action movie.

At its heart this is a chase movie, with Grant as the undoubted star. He strides about in a sharp suit as the film sprints across some of America’s most famous locations. New York is a great backdrop for much of the film, taking in the UN Building, the Plaza Hotel and Grand Central Station. But most famously of all, the climax takes place on Mount Rushmore. If this film had no script at all it would still be fantastic to look at. Fortunately it has a script full of wit and humour, really putting most modern thrillers to shame (see my review of Knight and Day!).

Right from the beginning this film surprises and delights the viewer with its playfulness. The opening credits see the director make a sneaky cameo as he tries to catch a bus only to have the door slam in his face. All throughout there are little moments of light humour that cut the perfect tension that builds up as Roger's situation becomes ever more perilous. Grant meets every obstacle with charm and sophistication, the classic gentleman. At one point he reports on his treatment by his abductors, "They poured a bottle of bourbon down my throat... no they didn't give me a chaser!"

The laughs are never at the expense of the story however. We have secret meetings, murdered diplomats, decoy agents and even a femme fatale crammed into the 2 hour run time. Despite it being among the longest of Hitchcock's films this never drags. There is always something to keep the viewer's attention whether it be the script, the chase or the mystery. Perhaps best of all are the little mistakes which left me struggling to decide if they were intentionally left in or not. Keep an eye out for a police man that misses his cue only for Grant to give him a gentle reminder!

Aside for a few scenes, especially in cars where the characters are clearly being filmed infront of a green screen, this feels as if it was made yesterday. It also contains some of the most iconic scenes in cinema history, with the above mentioned Mount Rushmore Scene but also the crop duster chase. One scene in particular epitomises all the good things in this film, as Roger tries to escape his pursuers when he is cornered in an auction room. This really has the feel of a film made by a director at the top of his game, a thriller that has definitely stood the test of time.

9/10