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Aug 21, 2013forever_ice17 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
In most Hitchcock films, the star of the film is Hitchcok. Not in Notorious. This is Ingrid Bergman's film. No matter what the billing might suggest, this is a story revolving around Alicia, and Ingrid gives the performance of the decade in her role as Alicia. There is no one in the history if the Oscars that was so horrendously robbed as Bergman was for this role. This is her greatest performance and the best of any actress in any Hitchcock film (or any film ever). She is breathtaking. Ingrid uses her greatest asset--that amazing face--to convey so much with just a lift of a brow or harding of the jaw. In this role she has to act a character who is aputting on a performance herself in the movie. The way we can still see the "real" Alicia is the genius of Ingrid's portrayal. The next star of this film is the script. The sparring between Alicia and Devlin (Cary Grant) is brutal, passionate and raw. Ben Hecht is a genius for creating such a gem. Hitchcock--as in all of his films-- has stamped himself in every shot of this movie. His genius in his composition and camera movement is incredible. He seems really restrained in this film conpared to his later works, but the subtlety adds to the beauty of the film. The rest of cast was superb in their roles. Cary Grant is playing against type and Claude Rains brings to life on of the most sympathetic villians in film's history. Another thing about this movie that stands out is the romance. In no other movie has Hitch shown his romantic side more effectively. The scenes between Bergman and Grant are as steamy and sexy as they they come. Never to be achieve again within a Hitchcock film. This is a Hitchcock masterpiece, and for me it is his greatest film. Watch it.