Review: North by Northwest (1959)

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Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint

2nd week into Hitchcock month, and the next film we are diving into from his esteemed filmography is the spy thriller North by Northwest. Please do make sure to check out the other great posts about this brilliant film and feel free to join in and post your reviews/ posts through #FilmstagramMovieClub.

North by Northwest has to be the most fun I have had in a Hitchcock film. While sticking to Hitchcock's suspenseful tone, the film also manages to be a thrilling ride that engages you from the very beginning.

This spy romance thriller follows Roger Thornhill, an ad executive who's on the run from a spy after his identity is mistaken for a government agent. As mentioned before the film's plot is both suspenseful and action-packed leaving you with a very wild ride. Once again the performances are great all around and the writing is really well done, with some pretty funny dialogue to divert away from the tension and action once in a while.

Everything Bernard Herrmann touches is gold, and this film's score is no exception. The film's score is fantastic and catchy, every time the main theme plays the tension rises and there is no doubt that you'll be on top of your seat. The cinematography coupled with the film's great special effects are glorious to the eyes. It's no Vertigo with it's colors, but the camerawork is brilliant and fluid. I mean look at that crop duster chase scene, absolutely glorious. Special shout-out to Saul Bass for another fantastic intro sequence.

This remains one of my favorite Hitchcock films, with it's fast-paced pacing mixed with the films great suspenseful plotline and thrilling chases and action scenes. Again I wouldn't go in expecting another Vertigo or Psycho. This classic spy thriller stands out on it's own.

My rating: 8.5/10