A wonderful classic

Rating: 9/10 (15 February 2009)

North By Northwest is one of director Alfred Hitchock's most popular movies. it is a classic and has proved itself to have endured over the years, pleasing new generations of audiences.
The story about an advertising executive, who is mistaken for someone else by foreign agents, (and they chase him) was wonderfully written by Ernest Lehman and directed with great style by legendary director Alfred Hitchcock.
Hitchcock's direction is, as always, sophisticated. The dialog is smart. The acting by all of the cast members is also smart and sophisticated.
Cary Grant plays the male lead and he is sharp, fascinating and a pleasure to watch. In the female lead role, Eva Marie-Saint, as one of Hitchcock's cool blonde ladies, is excellent and sexy in an understated way. James Mason is also an excellent bad guy, as is Martin Landau, who plays a killer.
There are some great visually composed scenes that now have become classic images, whenever the history of movie making is discussed.
I would recommend this movie to anyone from any background and at any age from young adult to seniors.