Film Review 3 - North by Northwest

  North by Northwest, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a 1959 film starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint.  It is a thriller, typical to Alfred Hitchcock, telling the story of an average Joe who finds himself caught in the middle of government espionage and mistaken identites.

  The film stars Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill, an advertising executive who is mistaken for another man when at a meeting. Thornhill is kidnapped and taken to Phillip Vandamn, played by James Mason, who insists he is really a man by the name of "George Kaplan".  Able to escape after a life threatening encounter shortly after, Thornhill vows to find the real George Kaplan to clear his name.  The plot of North by Northwest is fairly intricate, and it has many interesting twists and turns throughout the film.  I believe the film slowed down during the middle, specifically around the train portion, in which Thornhill finds himself trapped inside of a train with the assistance of the film's female lead, Eva Marie Saint, while on the run from the police.  Even so, I thought the majority of the film maintained tension and kept the viewer on the edge of their seat.

  Cary Grant does a great job playing Thornhill.  His distinctly questioning and relentless attitude played consistent throughout the film, creating a very likeable and respectable character.  His skill at creating the change in Thornhill, from a boring businessman to his more courageous self nearer to the end of the film was excellent.  Eva Marie Saint also does an fine job playing the mysterious and bodacious Eve Kendall, who is as cunning as she is cute.  I found Kendall's relationship and chemistry with Thornhill during their first meeting to be almost unbelievable however, but it became better throughout the film.  The rest of the cast does well, specifically James Mason and his cunning and classy performance as Vandamn. 

  With such solid acting and a truly thrilling plot, North by Northwest has everything a movie-goer would want.  It stays entertaining throughout the film, and the story is enough to satisfy those who want a deep experience, and those who want something fairly straightforward.  If you haven't seen it already, I'd strongly suggest it. It's one of Hitchcock's best.