Suspicion....Now Playing!

What a grand title for one heck of a grand movie! This film was Cary Grant's first pairing with Sir Alfred Hitchcock. It was the first of four marvelous films the two of these men made together. A side note is that Hitch's "Notorious" with Mr. Cary Grant is probably one of my favorite movies EVER!!! A must, must see! Anyway, back to the film at hand.....Suspicion!


There are so many wonderful scenes, it's hard to catalog them all for you in one short blog for goodness sakes! I love that Hitch really aligns his scenes in such a way that they look like stills of photographs. The scenes are beauty in the making. Towards the end of the film there is a scene where Cary Grant's character is bringing a glass of milk to his wife. The camera is looking downstairs at Mr. Grant and follows him walking with his tray of milk all the way up the staircase to the nightstand in the bedroom where the glass of milk comes to rest. In my opinion scenes like this, set Hitchcock apart from the rest. Because really, when I describe this scene to you it sounds rather uninteresting doesn't it? Let me tell you though, when you watch it, you are drawn into the world of these characters and are living and breathing the feelings that they themselves feel. Amazing, I know. It is clever and it works!

The story of "Suspicion" is an under current for insecurity. At least that is a theme I really picked up on in this latest viewing. I noticed that in times past when I have seen the film, that I was really sucked into the odd love story that is presented. However, this time I was more aware of the extreme insecurity, vulnerability and yet, strength of Joan Fontaine's character. She seems to make choices that she knows are wrong for her just to spite her parents and to live a little, shall we say? And when she finds herself to be in love, it seems that love really shouldn't be so difficult, or melancholy as it portrayed. Nevertheless, I can't help but still root for the relationship that these two souls forge, to somehow work! Strange, considering the fact that Ms. Fontaine's character is suspicious her husband is not at all what he seems.

Many people couldn't accept Cary Grant in this role because he was so devilish. I LOVE IT! He puts on the charm to the tee and that is what allows the viewer to feel SUSPICION right along with Joan Fontaine. Most of the emotions these two characters feel is told through the look in their eyes rather than in their words. The camera is cunning in making this point! I felt the desire to love this man and felt the caution flag being raised(along with Joan's eyebrow), many times, right along with her.


Ultimately, the studio wouldn't let Hitchcock film the ending he wanted and the ending this film truly deserved. Despite that, the movie is a real treat to watch, not only for the beautifully filmed scenes, but also for the marvelous acting done by all! Joan Fontaine won the Oscar for best actress for this film. Although, I must say again, that Cary Grant is what will keep bringing me back to watch it again and again. Even with all of his Cary Grant charm I still thought he was superb playing a would be murderer!

I live in the Daytona Beach area and this film will be showing on a BIG SCREEN on March 31st at 2 p.m. at the Southeast Museum of Photography which is part of Daytona State College. More details for this showing can be found by checking out the link below. The second link is for a movie trailer for "Suspicion".

Daytona State College film listings:
http://www.smponline.org/matinee2010.html

"Suspicion" movie trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYG5qbnArEM