1940
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
I have to write this review pretty quickly because Real Housewives of Orange County is on soon. Before you judge, it is really refreshing to watch people whose lives are complete messes for an hour. It makes you feel like your life is not to bad.
So this is the third Alfred Hitchcock on the list and I just feel like they keep getting better and better. This film is a very similar style to Wuthering Heights. Joan Fontaine marries Laurence Olivier and she is haunted by his late wife, Rebecca. I will start with what I didn't like. Joan Fontaine is a really good actress but her character is super annoying. First of all, she complains about not being attractive all the time. Really, Joan? Some of us have real problems.
Anyway, she also seems terribly frightened of her husband at all times which got on my nerves. Grow a pair, Joan. I also think that the movie might have benefited from being a bit shorter. On the other hand, the story is really fascinating and the actress who plays Mrs. Danvers (???) is perfect in her role. Laurence Olivier has also gotten to be really talented. Highly recommended.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Vivien Leigh wanted to play Mrs. de Winter so she could be with her boyfriend, Laurence Olivier. Rejected AGAIN!
Alfred Hitchcock told Joan Fontaine that everyone on the set hated her so she would be more nervous for the role. That is harsh, Hitch.
Judith Anderson, who played Mrs. Danvers, was instructed to rarely blink and try to glide instead of walk.
HITCHCOCK RADAR: Walking near the phone booth toward the end of the movie.
This is the first movie on the list that sort of freaked me out for real.
Trailer:
LOL Vivian, take the hint!
ReplyDeletePretty much with you on this one Amanda..A great film, one of Hitchcock's best..
ReplyDeleteI agree Mrs. DeW is annoying.. but I'd say thats good film making because I think she is supposed to be.. She is a little mouse with very little confidence which leads to her seeming to have little strength of personality. Mr. De W has perhaps too much. You feel he is rather bullying at times.. she too meek. More importantly is the contrast between her and the dreaded Rebecca. That's what he sees in her. Sure he liked Rebecca's strength and personality.. at first.. until he learnt she was a pure calculating nasty piece of work . So he over compensated the other way when going for No. 2...
But by going through all the problems in the story, they learn a little from each other..She will be a lot more likable in the sequal.
Well, that's what I thought any way...
Good points, Ray. I really want to read this book but I haven't gotten around to it yet. RIP Joan.
DeleteI read somewhere that there is a remake of Rebecca on the way. I cannot decide if that is such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this one freaked me out as well.
Ugh they are remaking everything now. Is the only other Hitchcock remake Psycho? I'm scared.
DeleteHe himself remade The Man Who Knew Too Much. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteUgh yeah the remake had Doris Day...
DeleteI'm doing this far too early .. barely into my 2nd mug of tea .. so i seriously misunderstood your above. For a few moments I was going "What?! a remake of Rebecca with Doris Day?" For some even more bizarre reason I was thinking DD as Mrs D. Now that would be ... interesting.
ReplyDelete