‘Notorious’

One of only two films where the two stars appeared together (the other being Indiscreet), Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious is an espionage thriller with more than a hint of romance.

With her German father convicted for treason against the US, Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman) is approached by T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant) to spy on a group of her father’s Nazi friends operating out of Rio de Janeiro. The two are attracted to each other but developments in Rio create rifts and Alicia is forced to take steps much further than anticipated.

Splendidly unpleasant German stereotypes, believable chemistry between Bergman and Grant and a fine script by Ben Hecht are the highlights of a film that’s good but not great.

Nominated for 2 Oscars in 1947 (screenplay, supporting actor – Claude Rains)

Rating: 57%

Director: Alfred Hitchcock (Lifeboat, Rope)

Writer: Ben Hecht (Angels Over Broadway, Spellbound)

Main cast: Cary Grant (Suspicion, Charade), Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca, Gaslight), Claude Rains (The Invisible Man, Casablanca)

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