Discuss I Confess
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Has a significant silent-film-like way/look to the photography
posted by genplant29STAFFMOD on August 1, 2019 at 4:55 AM
I've seen all of Alfred Hitchcock's silent films. I've multiple times observed, while watching I Confess, that its look and feel is, in quite a few places, very silent-film-like.
When you next view this, think silent film cinematography and the captured movement thereof, and I believe you'll readily notice what I'm referring to and meaning.
Please check out the following list of titles and celebrities I've created TMDb threads for: https://www.themoviedb.org/list/118052
Reply by barrymost
on February 19, 2020 at 6:47 AM
I've heard about this film several times. Having noticed some somewhat mediocre reviews, would you say it's still worth a watch?
Reply by genplant29
on February 19, 2020 at 7:04 AM
Hi, barry.
Yes: It most definitely is - and I do hope you'll watch it.
The film tells an interesting, compelling story and actually is, to considerable extent, one of my favourite Hitchcock films. I don't at all care for Anne Baxter's performance in it (in fact, I don't actually much like her in anything), though like, and regarding certain things am very impressed by, much else about/in it. There are terrific performances by Montgomery Clift, O.E. Hasse, Dolly Haas (Hasse and Haas play a very paranoid married couple), Brian Aherne, and Karl Malden. The film is beautifully, strikingly shot, on location in historic Quebec City.
There's a scene with Clift and Baxter that's supposed to be the characters they're portraying, but some years earlier. It's shot all mistily romantically - and is, in my opinion, a regrettable thing in the movie. I think that specific scene is largely why many people rate the movie (which despite having a lot going for it definitely isn't perfect) lower than they otherwise would.
Taking everything into consideration, I feel this movie deserves a solid 7.4 rating. As we're not able to do half-star ratings, and since 8/10 seems like it would be a smidgen high, I've gone with 7/10 (and would have added a half-star if it were possible). This is a high-quality movie that's worth watching, despite that it's not Hitchcock's best offering.
Reply by barrymost
on February 19, 2020 at 7:16 AM
Sounds intriguing! I was never a huge fan of Montgomery Clift, but haven't seen him in much, to speak of. I do like Brian Aherne, though. Will definitely add to my watchlist right now. Thanks!
Reply by genplant29
on February 19, 2020 at 7:18 AM
This is from Clift's career peak period, before he became disfigured and generally diminished. He's soulfully, gently excellent in this movie. There's much depth of feeling (all which comes off fully credibly) and subtle expressiveness in his performance and that's conveyed on his face.
If you have access to it after watching I Confess, be sure to watch also the 21-minutes 2004 featurette Hitchcock's Confession: A Look at I Confess. It's interesting and covers a lot of territory.