MovieChat Forums > Suspicion (1941) Discussion > Love the actors, still dislike the film

Love the actors, still dislike the film

posted 9 years ago by Tullyboy
2 replies | jump to latest

I've just watched the film for probably the 10th time in my life and I kinda hate it. When it runs on TCM, I watch it because I love the cast. But, much as I'm fan og several Hitchcock films, this one falls low on the list. It definitely fits somewhat the worst of the "dumb" wife or female lead characters who frequented many of his films but Lina is beyond helpless and overly submissive to ANY man in her life -- especially to
Johnny. I roll my eyes every time he tap dances around the truth with her.

Oh, well! If you're a Hitchcock follower, it's
still worth seeing once
or twice for the quality
of the performances.

[–] SamoanJoes 8 years ago

Yeah the actors are great but the film itself is just, I don't know, weak. Still a 7/10 but lacks punch.

[–] kenny-164 8 years ago

I think it is a mistake to look at the character of Lina as dumb. Nor is she helpless. I don't know what other men than Johnny she is even close to submissive to, so I think Tullyboy has overstated the case.

As for submissive to Johnny, well that is to be candid part of the story. But is it plausible? I think so if one acknowledges the simple fact that Lina loves Johnny. She loves him even though in some ways she knows all along that he is flawed. Personally I think the film is excellent at viewing the conflict within her as plausible and believable. We all see some lack of perfection in those we love, as well of course within ourselves. I don't know why the way Hitchcock examined this dynamic makes this a film to hate. Seems like an extreme overreaction to me.