Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman star in Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious. While it is not one of my favorite Hitchcock films, it does have some great acting and an interesting suspense story.
Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman
In this film, Cary Grant plays an American agent named Devlin who recruits Alicia Huberman (Bergman) to spy for her country. This is post World War II when there was still concern about the Germans.
Alicia is targeted to help the United States because her father, a German immigrant, was sentenced for treason. She has German contacts, notably Nazis. Alicia has trepidations about her assignment but agrees to do it for her country, and the fact that she is attracted to Devlin, and vice versa.
Seducing a Nazi
Alicia is taken to Rio where her assignment is to seduce a Nazi kingpin (Claude Rains). Alexander Sebastian is a family friend and when he sees her in town, he asks her out. It is then when her charms come into play. She continues to see Sebastian and being a loyal American, she takes her assignment seriously by accepting his proposal of marriage.
As Mrs. Sebastian, Alicia has access to the Sebastian home and the secrets kept there. Now she must listen for clues and keep her eyes open to report anything suspicious to Devlin.
While living with Sebastian and his mother, Alicia uncovers the Nazi scheme that the Americans were concerned about. They are collecting something and keeping it in wine bottles in the wine cellar. When Alicia and Devlin gain access to the cellar, what they find is a mysterious substance. Devlin takes a sample which he discovers is very dangerous.
Living with a Nazi and playing hostess to his fellow Nazis turns her stomach, but Alicia continues with the assignment for two reasons: her love for her country and her love for Devlin.
What happens during this mission could cost Alicia her life. Will Devlin let it get that far?
Notorious Review
This is an interesting spy story as well as a love story. Hitchcock’s unique cinematography adds to the suspense as does the musical score. Grant’s performance is wonderful but Bergman’s role as a tortured soul is worthy of recognition.
This 1946 film is filled with tense scenes and an interesting story that still thrills viewers. What makes this more than a thrilling spy story is the underlying love between Devlin and Alicia.
While I do not count Notorious as one of my favorite Hitchcock films, it is definitely a good one. With the acting and the suspense, Hitchcock delivers a great movie, which is now available on Blu-ray.
Bonus features on this edition involve a look at Alfred Hitchcock as a spymaster as well as a “making of” feature. There are features about the actors and the story, which add greatly to the background of the film. Adding to the bonuses is a look at the restoration of the film. After all, it was produced in 1946 but is now better than ever.
Notorious stars Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. Written by Ben Hecht. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Running time 102 minutes. Black and White. Blu-ray edition from MGM Home Entertainment. Release date for this edition is January 24, 2012.
4/5
