Better than Vertigo, Rear Window or North by Northwest.
So shoot me.
If only you could see what I have seen with your eyes.
As if.
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MovieChat Forums > Marnie (1964) Discussion > Better than Vertigo, Rear Window or Nort...
No, no and no.
shareMarnie is hugely flawed, but interesting all the same and really fascinating in some respects. It's not entirely focused or inductive of Hitchcock's most keen directing, nor do I think Sean Connery brings an awful lot to the film. But I like Tippi here, and think, despite her limitations as an actress, she was perfectly cast and personified with some ease the superficial elements of Marnie, whilst gradually revealing her hidden depth. Which is less successful than the fascination surrounding here allure and compulsions, but this is a performance and a film that can work on you. It's no masterpiece, but it's not dismal either, and certainly not Hitchcock's worst film. But like many flawed pictures made by talented, visionary directors, or films with acute and able actors who transcend the material, Marnie shouldn't be easily dismissed, is easy to return to and is an intriguing film in a lot of ways.
NOW TARZAN MAKE WAR!
North by Northwest is not only Hitch's greatest film, it's one of the greatest films made by anyone in Hollywood. To compare a flawed Marnie to North by Northwest is wildly hilarious.
What's so amusing is that the few fans of Marnie left in this world are so hysterically defensive about this weak, meandering and bizarre film.
'What's so amusing is that the few fans of Marnie left in this world are so hysterically defensive about this weak, meandering and bizarre film.'
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People are hysterically defensive because of the extreme opinions; a film must either be great or terrible. How "amusing"
Critics give Marnie at least 3 ***, so they are defensive too, I guess. Wow, are you pompous.
Just need to find my gun
Here's yer sign.
I wouldn't say it is 'better', as that is subjective and it's all in the eye of the beholder. Of the 4, I would rate REAR WINDOW-54' as my favourite and then MARNIE-64', which in spite of any flaws, I found it to be compelling viewing. Have only seen twice mind you and that was many moons ago. Not a fan of VERTIGO-58' for some reason and while escapist and entertaining, I feel pretty blah about NORTH BY NORTHWEST-59' as well. Even PSYCHO-60', doesn't really rattle my chain. Well the first part with Janet Leigh is quite exceptional and then I lose a bit of interest.
My favorites are:
REAR WINDOW-54'
THE BIRDS-63'
MARNIE-64'
FRENZY-72'
Could the backlash that MARNIE gets, be due to the fact that it is more of a dramatic psychological character study, rather than the suspense thrills and shocks that Hitchcock has delivered throughout the 50's and early 60's? It was a change of pace and the simple minded movie going sheep, wanted more of what they got used too.
I just don't think they understood it and/or disinterested in Hedren, perhaps. The film was before it's time.
shareYes, Hitchcock may have been experimenting with this story . . . something different . . . take Hitchcock out of the film, would it get even a sliver of attention today?
shareYou say the film was before its time. If that is the case, I just watched it for the first time this week (more than 50 years after it was released), and I thought it royally sucked sulfur. Compared to the three films mentioned above (I would also add The Birds to the list), this film doesn't even come close. It would be like someone saying Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is better than The Godfather. Taste is subjective, I agree. But bad taste is rather obvious when people go ahead and make such absurd statements.
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Believe me, you're newbie mentality is not supposed to think it doesn't "suck sulfur (how cool). All the reviews of this film are positive. In your case, it's not subjective; you do have bad taste because you don't know any better.
You sound creepy and mentally ill (subjective opinion of course).
shareI agree Rascal67 that it's definitely subjective, even though I like Rear Window, I don't quite get the hype. However, Vertigo is my favorite movie and Psycho is in my top 5. I also really like North by Northwest, don't care for The Birds and think Marnie and Frenzy are good but not great. It's interesting how these films can affect people so differently, but that's what makes life interesting. :-)
My Top 4 Hitchcock Films:
Vertigo
Psycho
Rebecca
Strangers on a Train
Better than Vertigo, yes. The others? Nah. I do rank Marnie very highly among Hitch's best films though, I enjoyed it very much.
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