Easy to fault, impossible to dismiss

Rating: 9/10 (8 January 2003)

This movie sees Grant in absolutely tip-top form in perhaps the funniest thriller ever made. His grace under pressure and cheekiness mark this out as a defining performance. Martin Landau and James Mason are both excellent, as are the rest of the cast, although Landis does overplay for laughs as Grant's mother (interestingly, she was only one year his senior).
Herrmann's FANTASTIC score drives the film ever onwards so that you never notice the 2hrs20mins slip by and some great shots (e.g. UN from above) more than make up for the dodgy bluescreen car scenes.
The Mt Rushmore sequences are overrated, but the meld into the final scene makes it all worthwhile.
Thrilling, enthralling, and above all entertaining, this is a must-own movie.
Ps look out for Grant flying North by Northwest airlines and Hitch's cameo early on.