My favorite passage is the one where Grant, alone, meets a stranger waiting for a car, before the plane hits. A long wait to set the stage, a car whizzing by, then a slow car coming out of an impossible place, a man on the road abruptly. The suspense that all this constitutes is better than the plane battle that follows.
Theater directing includes a "audience study" course. Hitchcock probably knew the psychology of the audience, so he created a fascinating atmosphere. The omniscient shot, the subjective shot... But what the audience knows and what they are confused about is what makes this film really exciting.
Suspense and humor, perfect pairing...Grant starts the performance reminiscent of "Friday Girl", with the same humor and wit (or cunning)...
Some actors complain that Hitchcock never tells them to play...Hitchco All gram does is keep the actors there, and it's all under his control. He likes Grant best because Grant knows how to play Cary Grant. Grant must be such a smart and charming guy himself! The only small regret is that Grant was a little older when he acted in this film~~
View more about North by Northwest reviews
