Excellent But Not Great

Rating: 7/10 (22 September 2012)

One of the things that the Director is accused of is his phony, stagy looking sets. One could also call them surreal and that is a complement. It puts the viewer in an uneasy setting that looks otherworldly and charming. This films has its share of this ethereal look.
This is a highly rated film that is possibly a bit too highly rated. It seems long and has a number of scenes that are clunky and unnecessary. All the Mother stuff is corny and contributes nothing to the story and goes absolutely nowhere and is frankly frumpy when meant to be funny.
Talk about slick. This film is so slick that it truly represents the plastic 1950's. A cosmetic sheen of soullessness that can be seen as a cookie cutter culture and a superficial society. One needs only look at this film and it is apparent that movie makers and money men ate this stuffy stuff up. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint look like mannequins and the banter of sexy double entendres seem more scripted than sincere playfulness.
The supporting cast of bad guys are interesting if not completely threatening. They too are stiff and except for Martin Landau's openly gay portrayal ("call it my woman's intuition") speak and act like an artificial species.
The movie has many masterful touches... the glossy and interesting cinematography...the great Bernard Herrmann score...the groundbreaking crop duster scene...and the alluring broad scope of the production. But can be faulted for its length and wavering suspense that was sacrificed for lame light humor.
An excellent Hitchcock but not great. The Director made about a dozen films that are better. Have fun seeking them out.