North By Northwest
released 1959
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“North By Northwest” is an American, action, comedic, thriller produced by Herbert Coleman and Alfred Hitchcock, who also directed it. The screenplay was written by Ernest Lehman and it stars Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, Leo G. Carroll, Josephine Hutchinson, Philip Ober, Martin Landau, Adam Williams, Edward Platt, Robert Ellenstein, Les Tremayne, Philip Coolidge, Steve Carruthers, Alfred Hitchcock (who always makes cameos in his films.), Madge Kennedy, Susan Whitney and many others.

North By Northwest IMDb webpage

“North By Northwest” is basically the story of a man in way over his head. A New York City advertising executive by the name of Roger Thornhill, played by Carey Grant, is mistaken by a group of thugs to be governement spy George Kaplan. He is kidnapped but escapes and ends up not being taken seriously by the police or his own mothers, played by Jessie Royce Landis.

This movie is a lot of things in a time where movies were simpler and did not need to rely on so much hyperbole. That means no CGI, expensive car chases with all types of special effects and so on. It´s a funny film with action and at its very core is a developing love story with funny references at the end. Carey Grant was brilliant at this kind of stortelling. There is no doubt in my mind that this story could not have worked with anybody else. His skillful acting rightfully takes over this story and fills all the crevices where the story is lacking. The character of Roger is not an overbearing force in the film, as is the case with James Dean movies. He simply is at the center of a mess, mulling his way through as best he can. And of course there is an element of style that Carey Grant exudes that is timeless.

There is truth to the saying that simplicity can yield wonders in storytelling, like keeping a love story at the center of a story always seems to be a good start. Beautiful people, stylish people are just dressing when it comes down to it. A character´s motivations and the obstacles they face are still most important and “North By Northwest” just confirms this.

I hope they never make a remake of this film. Some movies like “Citizen Kane”, “Rear Window”, “To Catch A Thief”, “Gone With The Wind” to name just a few are unique gems that cannot by replicated, copied, plagairized or `borrowed´or whichever term you want to use. They are best left as they are. Now can they be the inspiration for future works? Of course they can be. As a matter of fact I think that would be a good idea. A good example of a film that took inspiration from a classic is the film “Basic Instinct” which was surely inspired by “Vertigo”.

The interactions between Roger and his mother are hilarious and I´m amazed how well Carey Grant brings the character of Roger to life, infusing the character of Roger with a wit when things should be so serious and Roger is in very real danger. This is a dated film but it´s still a fun watch. So check it out.

John

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