by Laura Lai/ Review
Film’s Title: Suspicion
Lead Actors: Joan Fontaine (Lina Aysgarth), Cary Grant (John Aysgarth, called Johnnie), Nigel Bruce (Beaky), Sir Cedric Hardwicke (Gen. McLaidlow), Auriol Lee (Isabel Sedbusk).
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
The movie is based on the novel Before the Fact (1932) by Francis Iles.
The movie Suspicion is a psychological movie. It is the story of Lina (Joan Fontaine), the daughter of Gen. McLaidlow (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) who accidentally met (and liked) John Aysgarth (Cary Grant), called Johnnie. They soon got married and had a long honeymoon trip. Then, Lina started to discover Johnnie’s betting addiction, his debts, the stealing and selling of things from the house. He lost his job and he was not interested in another one, but he tried to establish a real estate company with his friend Becky (Nigel Bruce), who died in Paris in a suspicious way. Lina’s suspicions got higher when Johnnie got interested in crime novels written by the successful writer Isabel Sedbusk (Auriol Lee), particularly in poisons. She suspected that he wanted to kill her.
From an artistic
point of view, Hitchcock used the idea of books and words to present this psychological game.
Lina is an intelligent woman reading psychology books. A literate in psychology, Lina had a trained mind. Still, Johnnie succeeded in playing with it. Fed up with Johnnie's lies adapted for each circumstance, she even tried to leave him, not face to face, but through a note (which may suggest that she was still loving him): ‘I’m leaving you. It is very important that we never see each other again. I am sure that you will be able to explain everything very smoothly to yourself as well as to the others. Lina.’ Then, she tore up the note, she stayed, and the viewers get confirmed that she still loved him dearly.
The character Lina has a remarkable arch: from the woman who could not wait to be with him, looking for him, calling him, to suspect him of having murdered Becky, to seek distance of fear not to be murdered by him – but always in love with him. My guess is that the reasons why Johnnie could so easily play with her mind were: his ‘smooth way’ of finding a plausible explanation on the spot and her love for him.
From a technical point of view, every scene took place in beautiful sceneries that are splendid even in black and white. They are well-framed by the camera. There are some single shots that were memorable. For example, the scene from the very beginning of the movie that shows Johnnie playing with Lina’s hair and that ends shortly with Lina’s purse. It is suggestive of the story and as strong as the sound of the closing clip of the purse.
As usual, a lovely doggy was not missing from most of the scenes, as in all Hitchcock’s movies. It is also said that Hitchcock appeared in all his movies, but in some – as is the case in Suspicion – I had difficulties in identifying him. I guess the credit for it goes to those who were in charge of the make-up and the costumes.
The movie Suspicion is a fascinating movie with psychological twists and a great cast. It was a pleasure to watch Cary Grant playing so naturally the role of Johnnie. And Joan Fontaine made such a remarkable role: her thoughts and feelings transcended the screen. Fabulous! No wonder she was awarded an Oscar for this role.
Enjoy the movie!
P.S.: See you in the next Hitchcock movies!
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