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Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
Rate:
3
Viewed:
5/09
5/09:
Shadow of a Doubt is one of the worst Hitchcock movies I've seen.
The theme is so redundant that I knew what's going to happen at the end. In fact, it reminds me too much of
Suspicion with Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. The dialogue sounds corny and
hopelessly dated.
Bad acting is also what did it in. Of the cast, Teresa Wright is the worst due to her one-dimensional portrayal of a
suspiciously frightened woman. Joseph Cotten isn't effective enough as the menacing killer because he happens to be a
good-looking guy with a close shave and a nice hair weave.
However, except for the first half hour, Shadow of a Doubt can be technically brilliant as the camera angles offer
innovative ways to let me see what's coming. Although the ending is impossible to accept, it's a well-shot picture.
Why does Uncle Charlie decide to rip the news article from the paper when there's no connection between him and the
murder case? He makes matters worse by arousing her niece's suspicions. The snotty-faced, voracious reader female with the
steel rimmed glasses should jump off a cliff to spare me the grief.
The poor sap, who happens to resemble Farley Granger, asks the lead female's hand for marriage which is
awkward to watch. Now, what's with the conversations between these two about committing a perfect murder? Have they
realized the deceased's closest relationship is the first starting point in any murder investigation?
All in all, Shadow of a Doubt can be impressive when it comes to camera work, but it's been an annoying picture
to sit through.