The only reason? I would agree that Joan Fontaine is the BEST reason, but there are several others. Including several other excellent performances. The cinematography won an Oscar, and deservedly so. I found the direction to be exceptionally good. The story itself combines a narrative arc of compelling interest as it twists and turns with a subtle but persuasive core portraying the character development of the second Mrs. de Winter. Part of that portrayal also concerns the essence of sexual attraction before and during marriage. While the spouses are certainly,well, idiosyncratic, there is much within the film that speaks to the dynamics over time in marriage.
There is also a significant psychological element to the film, to be sure, concerning the motivations of the characters, specifically Mrs. Danvers. In that connection there is also much to value in assessing the class and economic interests and issues that are included. Finally I think at least here and there that there is humor in the film that is too little remarked upon, even by its fans.
But yes, Joan Fontaine is more than reason enough to see the film. I would argue it is one of the greatest performances by a female lead in the history of film, and I know that is a sweeping claim. I would just not limit its attractions to her excellent performance.
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prion508
12 years ago
Those are all good points. Their marriage is a particularly interesting topic, I can't help wondering if it would last.
Love the opening sequence and the first two thirds of the movie which does a great job of creating an eerie atmosphere of mystery. However, the last third feels a bit like a let down. It would be more interesting if Rebecca was not such an irredeemable villain. I also don't find Maxim that attractive.
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kenny-164
11 years ago
"It would be more interesting if Rebecca was not such an irredeemable villain. "
this is an interesting take on the film. I am not sure what to make of it.
One wonders how much of Rebecca's attitude toward Maxim and his life was class based. Perhaps it wasn't, as the suggestion is that she also came from the upper classes of aristocratic England. But she seems from what we can gather to also have taken particular relish in taunting Maxim's support of the family name.
Danvers also gives evidence of some class based animosity, and in that connection saw Rebecca as an ally. "She would come home at night, laughing at the lot of you!" That sort of thing.
In other words the question of Rebecca's motivation in acting as she did seemed like it might have been more than some simple combination of narcissism and destructive aggression, and I think that makes her very interesting.
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