Midnight is not a good time for me to watch films. In spite of the hour and jet lag, I was totally enthralled by this film. Cary Grant is not so superficially suave and debonair as his later hits and Ingrid Bergman in this complex role is just the right touch of naughty and nice. The dialogue rolls and the intrigue just gets better as the film moves into a tense climax. This is a classic Hitchcock in terms of camera angles, atmospheric shots and anticipation of impending discovery, but it is much more of a romance and the warmth of the central figures gives it a charm that more than overshadows the darkness and threats.
Excellently filmed, produced and performed with Cary Grant & Ingrid Bergman a True Dynamic Duo at the heart of the film.
it's only a shame that it's not available on Blu-ray but the DVD quality is fine enough, highly recommended.
Cary Grant runs party-girl Ingrid Bergman as an agent in Rio de Janeiro to infiltrate a Nazi spy ring and then to marry one of the prominent members played by Claude Rains.
This is one of Hitchcock's most critically praised film, particularly in relation to the love story. Though arguably the romance element doesn't stand so much scrutiny; the pair share levels of empathy that would shame a sociopath. And Grant's CIA man is willing for Bergman to not only enter into the house of dangerous, scheming Nazis, but then marry one of them. The story pulls too hard in contrary directions.
It's easier to suspend disbelief for a thriller than an examination of the nature of the heart. As a work of suspense, it's excellent and a polished example of the Hitchcock style. And no one ever played a woman in love quite as convincingly as the luminous Ms. Bergman.
The film has many fascinating Hitchcock moments, but the ticking bomb of the dwindling supply of champagne that must necessitate Claude Rains to visit the wine cellar where Cary and Ingrid are discovering bottles of uranium, is quintessential. Of course the crane shot that concludes with a close up of the key to the cellar is justly famous. Maybe there's a case that Notorious promotes style over content, but what magnificent style!