Ingrid Bergman and Hitchcock
This early exploration of psychoanalysis is far too heavy on the analysis. Though the wordy script does hold some suspense, there are only two elements which truly redeem the production: a deliriously inventive dream sequence conceived by surrealist Salvador Dali and Bergman's passionate performance. Though Peck was enjoying a sensational start to his film career, he is stiff here and it is remarkable how believable Bergman is as a woman in love with a man who seems so lacking in passion.
From the moment Constance sees Dr. Edwards, her face flames up with desire. Hitchcock was annoyed by the instant flutter of violins on the soundtrack that announced their first meeting, but Bergman's intensity manages to neutralize the corny flourish for the most part. She finds a good balance in her role, she is neither prim and entirely without warmth before she falls in love nor a steamy sex goddess when she finds passion. There is no scene where she takes off her glasses and shakes down her hair bun, the reserves of heat within her are always seen to be simmering.
Notorious (1946)
Also starring: Cary Grant, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern, Leopoldine Konstantin
Bergman found a far more effective romantic partner in Cary Grant. She is Alicia Huberman, a notorious party girl who has just lost her traitor father to prison. She is recruited by the American government, specifically agent T.R. Devlin (Grant), to infiltrate a den of Nazis in Brazil. One of the Nazis under surveillance has a long-standing crush on Alicia and she is asked to extract important secrets from him Mata Hari style. In the meantime, she falls in love with Devlin and struggles with his disgust over her hedonistic ways.
This was Hitchcock's most fully realized romance. Though there is some focus on the mysterious contents of wine bottles in a cellar, never have the twists and turns of one of his pictures meant less. All that matters is that Devlin realizes his love for Alicia before she is out of his reach forever. For her part, Alicia has no trouble expressing her feelings. Indeed, when she sees that Devlin may save her, she is so ecstatic that he is finally showing some passion that she hardly notices that she is being rescued.
The most effective scene of passion is also the most famous. To avoid production code restrictions on long kisses, Hitchcock had the two practically glued together for an entire
Latest Articles