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| REBECCA (1940) | |
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A haunting masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock begins on a cliff over the Mediterranean near Monte Carlo. A man is uncomfortably close to the edge of the cliff and close to falling when a young woman (Joan Fontaine) yells, "No! Stop!". On a later occasion these two cross each others path again and they begin to spend more time together. The young woman is suppose to work for an older lady as a friend for hire; however, she has taken ill and the young lady is presented with more opportunity to spend time with the man whose name is George Fortescu Maximillian de Winter (Laurence Olivier), also known as Max. During the young woman's time in Monte Carlo she finds out from her benefactor that Max has recently lost his wife Rebecca in a drowning accident. On the day when her boss is about to go back the United States the young woman becomes panicky that she will not see Max again. Thus, she seeks him out, finds him, and he proposes to her. She becomes the new Mrs. de Winter. However, as she arrives at Max's estate, Manderley in Cornwall, England, she finds herself still living in the shadow of the departed Rebecca. Everything in Manderley reminds everyone of Rebecca and the new Mrs. de Winter begins to feel the ghost of Rebecca being near her. Rebecca is a brilliant film where Hitchcock triggers thoughts and feelings of suspense and suspicion through breathtaking cinematography, stunning sound, and meticulous detailed mise-en-scène. The film is based on a novel by Daphne Du Maurier, who also grew up in Cornwall. This story is a remarkably well adapted for film, since it can get anyone to feel the anxiety of the new Mrs. de Winter as she lives in Manderley. When the audience exhales, they will have received some two hours of suspense and careful character development that leaves them with an excellent film experience. |
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| 1/27/2003 | |
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The Internet Movie Database. |
