A nice suspense movie, keeps you guessing right till the last minute. Definitely inspired by Hitchcock, has his flavour to it with the comedy elements thrown in, but the 60's vibe is maybe too strong for me. I think the theme on the intro sequence is an amazing track though.
This lesser know thriller comedy is widely considered "the best Hitchcock movie Hitchcock never made", and that is a fair assessment with it's twisting plot, cool characters, and a story that revolves around murder, pursuit, and mistaken identities. Starting out on a snowy resort, one of a few noteworthy set locations, Regina (Hepburn) is on vacation and will be returning to Paris to meet her husband soon. While there, she happens across suave stranger Peter (Grant) who wins her over with his charm, but she doesn't get too involved. As she returns to Paris, she is startled to see that her possessions are gone and she later finds out that her husband has been killed. As the story progresses, she learns that her husband wasn't exactly the man she thought he was, and is told by CIA agent Bartholomew (Matthau) that he was caught up in a theft scandal and was killed by three other men. With only her husband's travel bag given to her, she is ignorant that the fortune is suspected to be in her possession, and the three men are now on her trail to retrieve the money. Finding herself in great danger, Peter shows up to rescue her, and Regina thinks he's the only one she can trust...or is he? The most entertaining thing about this movie is the interplay between the two leads (despite their 25 year age difference!) as they shift several times between the carefree whimsy of a romantic couple to fear and loathing due to Regina's uncertainty of Peter's true identity. This is where the title "Charade" comes in, because the motives aren't known to be real or just for show. Peter is the central key to the movie because the audience doesn't know if he's a protagonist or antagonist, which works well for a mystery film. And while it is indeed a mystery film, there are also cases to be made that this is a romantic/comedy with some good lines interchanging. It's a solid movie overall, although the villains were a little dopey and there seems to be some missing tension due to it. There is also some "movie magic" missing to really hurdle this over the hump, which would make it more widely regarded as a classic. I'm still pleased with this movie and it's ability to keep you guessing even until the credits roll.
Do we know each other? Why do you think we're going to? How would I know? Because I already know an awful lot of people and until one of them dies I couldn't possibly meet anyone else. Well if anyone goes on the critical list, let me know.
From the colorful opening credits to the happy ending with everything revealed and solved, this is one heck of a entertaining thriller film. Of course, it wouldn't be old classic Hollywood without the witty and funny one-liners, the mandatory romance elements, and the big stars in the film, Hepburn and Grant. Cary Grant was way too old for Audrey Hepburn but surprisingly, they have chemistry and make a good tandem in this film. There are too many red herrings in the film so I couldn't guess who the real murderer is.
Too good, just too bloody good. The plot would have to be one of the best ever known. Not mention Cary Grant, James Coburn, Audrey Hepburn, George Kennedy, & Walter Matthau. Need a person say more?.
Audrey hepburn and Cary Grant both shine in that amazing thriller. Not only are they mysterious, but they are funny and magic together. Good job Peter Joshua or Carson Dyle, or Alexander Dyle, or Adam Canfield or Brian Cruikshank. Oh whatever....
Wonderful! Cary Grant is hilarious as ever and Audrey is utterly fabulous! Perfect dialouge filled with 60s class and its so hilarious. Great, great movie!
Charm,elegance,sophistication and style. Everything is first rate in this movie:classy Audrey Hepburn & Cary Grant-great chemistry between them,outstanding supporting cast(Walter Matthau,James Coburn,George Kennedy),ingenious script, sharp dialogue,funny lines,clever twists and turns, gorgeous settings and costumes(Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn),inspired direction and Henry Mancini's score...One of the best romantic comedy/thriller/mystery ever seen,no wonder they call it the best Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made! They don't make movies like this anymore ,there are no stars like this today...
A great suspense drama where you never quite know who's the bad guy and who's the good guy until near the end. It is nicely tempered with witty dialogue.
I find it funny that this was in a "Comedy Collection" I got, as I didn't really find it funny at all. There were some corny/funny moments and some real good lines, but mostly it was kind of a suspense, actually. Interesting and although it kept me guessing the entire time, it almost felt like there was one twist too many. It was overall pretty cool though, and Audrey Hepburn rocks.
I still haven't seen the Mark Wahlberg remake. I'm curious about how that's going to work. This is one of the most memorable Audrey Hepburn movies. I just love her.
Completely wonderful! Carey Grant is as good as ever and Audrey Hepburn is at her usual best. The dialogue is fantastic and the movie is just hilarious and great!
The only film done in the Hitchcock style which can stand up to Hitchcock?s best. Stanley Donen, best known for directing Singin? in the Rain, captures the essences of a great Hitchcock film with a great sense of fun, adventure, romance, and humor. Cary Grant is wonderful as always and Audrey Hepburn is more than perfect as the lovely wife of Charles Lambert recently deceased and now not quite what he seems. James Coburn is supremely menacing and seemingly calculating in this film, but it Walter Matthau who is the guy to watch. Henri Mancini provides a brilliant score for this film which is both thrilling and fun.
I LOVED IT!!!!!!! Amazing movie! No other words but FANTASTIC AND SUPERB, could describe this thriller! I loved it, it proved its self as a well loved classic mystery. There's so many twists and turns that it keeps you watching until the final stretch. Yet even though most turns are sharp in the movie, there are still some consistency to keep the movie flowing. WOW just what a fantastic movie. Definitely one of my favorites.
This movie is so awesome! I mean Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn together? That's just too much awesome for one movie. Wait, and James Coburn? OH MY GOD!
Charade is one of the most entertaining movies ever made. Bringing together two stars who just look perfect together stanley donen's classic will keep you engrossed via humour,romance, action and suspense. The story unfolds in one of the most beautiful cities in the world Paris, as a widower finds herself falling for a secret agent who walks into her life after the murder of her husband. Henri Mancini's music is used in the soundtrack and the score adding more embellishment to a sublime romantic thriller.
Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn. Romance and suspense in Paris, as a woman is pursued by several men who want a fortune her murdered husband had stolen. Who can she trust?
truly it has been said this is the best Hitchcock that Hitchcock never made. my favorite movie that hepburn and grant made together. the supporting cast was good, the music convincing, and the ending was surprising, the first time
A truly enjoyable film. References to My Fair Lady in one scene. If you have the DVD, watch the trio with James and Pamela Mason in it. It's just as fun!!!
Regina: Don't you dare to be civil with me! All this time you were leading me on!
Peter: How was I leading you on?
Regina: All that marvelous rejection, you knew I couldn't resist it.
Much can be said for the electricity that lights up the screen once you get both Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant on the screen at the same time. Both respected leading actors who displayed a serious amount of class, style, wit and evocation.
In Charade, Regina Lambert (Audrey Hepburn) finds her husband has been murdered and has left behind $200,000. On her trail is a cast of thugs who want her to give up the money which leaves her with one dilemma?she doesn??t have the money and has no idea where it could be.
Enter Cary Grant as Peter Joshua, a romantic chap who meets Regina by chance as is the only person she can trust as she dodges the group of thieves who threaten her life if she doesn??t come up with her dead husband??s fortune. ??Natural? is the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe this film and the actors involved. Although not a masterpiece, the timing and chemistry between Hepburn and Grant is incomparable to any film that either did in their illustrious careers. Let??s not forget to mention the appearances of Walter Matthau and James Coburn who aid this film in even more great acting.
Charade is a film that combines a vibrant cast with Hitchcockian suspense and campy humor. This film is truly a gem.
MCT:October 6, 2008
MCT:October 1, 2008
MCT:September 26, 2008
MCT:July 17, 2008
