North by Northwest

North by Northwest, directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1969 stars Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason follows a New York advertising executive (Cary Grant) who, by fluke is mistaken for a government spy. Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is hunted across America by foreign spies. Towards the beginning of the movie, when Roger is mistaken for a spy, Roger is taken captive by foreign spies who suspect him to be trying to shut down their operation. Multiple time, roger is nearly killed by the thugs while trying to uncover this mystery of his second identity. Roger meets up with Eva, the spies boss. Eva seduces Roger but turns out to be a government agent, working for the foreign spies undercover. Eva and Roger team up to take down the spies.

Before watching this movie, I had an odd dislike for Alfred Hitchcock. After seeing North by Northwest (as well as psycho) I am in love with he’s movies. The attention invested in this movie is superb. The story is thrilling as well as suspenseful; Hitchcock had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation. Hitchcock presents a great example of the Hollywood style by dragging the audience in the movie with the edgy characters, believable story line but most of all, a great acting cast.

Cary and Eva really play exact opposites. Cary, socially awkward advertising executive is naïve and not at all out spoken. Eva plays a timid girl, but always has a trick up her sleeve. I got the impression for Eva she knew more that she was letting on.

For a movie in the sixties, Hitchcock exceeded his talent and the HW style. I hope everyone gets a chance to see this movie at least once in their lives. Wish I could see it in the theatres!

5/5 stars.

Shane Sullivan