MovieChat Forums > Charade (1963) Discussion > My thoughts (spoilers herein)

My thoughts (spoilers herein)

posted 3 years ago by Phids (774)
6 replies | jump to latest

This was an entertaining, light whodunit mystery which had a lot of great interactions between Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn in several impressive settings. The story moves from the Swiss Alps back to Paris amidst the death of Hepburn's character's husband, and the subsequent race between her and several thuggish competitors to find the money that the deceased had hidden. It was relatively easy to follow the story arc, and Cary Grant's character is revealed to be several different people during the course of the film. As Hepburn's character falls in love with him, she also realized the charade that is being played. In addition to the great chemistry between the two, the setting is quite elegantly portrayed at night, in the park, and in other places throughout Paris. The film reminded me of Hitchcock films, but without something of pizazz.

8.33/10

[–] ElizabethJoestar (946) 3 years ago

"The film reminded me of Hitchcock films, but without something of pizazz."

It lacks the Freudian themes or deeper layers you might find in a Hitchcock movie. Otherwise, it's got similar gallows humor, romantic banter, and suspense.

[–] BillySlater (4241) 3 years ago

I am curious to know how you come up with 8.33/10, seems like a very specific rating.

[–] Phids (774) 3 years ago

Thank you for the question. When I watch films, I try to rate them on a scale of 1-10 in 9 different categories - directing, cinematography, production design, special effects, sound, editing, pace, acting, and writing. I then calculate the results, which are based on the average of all the scores. It's not a perfect way of analyzing films, but it forces me to think of aspects of a film that I might not otherwise contemplate.

[–] BillySlater (4241) 3 years ago

That is interesting. I find it so difficult to rate movies in this manner though since some films will tick off all the categories but as a piece of entertainment as a whole its boring and uninteresting and unworthy of a 8 or 9/10. The opposite rings true also. I always prioritize a film as a piece of entertainment first and foremost but this makes it difficult to give such specific ratings.

[–] Phids (774) 3 years ago

I can see what you mean, and that may be a weakness in my rating system. However, think of it this way - this rating system means that a movie that is boring and uninteresting as a whole can still be a good piece of filmmaking because it does a great job in certain areas. Generally speaking, though, I have found that movies I enjoy usually get high ratings because I enjoy movies with good directing (overall vision), production design, writing, etc.

Incidentally, can you think of any films offhand which you might rate highly, but you think are boring? Or vice versa? For me, one which would be highly rated but not entirely interesting was "A Bridge Too Far" (1977), and some films that were very interesting but with low ratings would be some Oscar Micheaux films from the 1930s.

[–] BillySlater (4241) 3 years ago

Citizen Kane springs to mind as a boring film that is considered a technical masterpiece but I still wouldnt give it an 8/10. Another one is 12 Angry Men. Something I find entertaining but not technically well made would be something like Sleeping with the Enemy which many would consider a guilty pleasure type of film.