I really don't think I need to go out of my way to preach the virtues of someone like Alfred Hitchcock; hailing a Hitchcock film has become so predictable it's almost passé. That said, there aren't many ways to get around it, and To Catch a Thief is no exception. Despite the fact this film was released over fifty years ago, it still holds up today, and its entertainment value has not been tarnished in the slightest. I say this because I know a lot of people who refuse to watch or acknowledge films made before the 1980s and I could never really relate to that; a good film is a good film is a good film, right? Still, I can understand how these films can seem inaccessible to the modern viewer; the dialogue is often dated and audiences can have a hard time relating to the plights of actors they may not necessarily be familiar with (such is not the case for the leads in this film, but I'm speaking more generally). Either way, the staying power and consistent impact of a Hitchcock film is entirely undeniable.
Cary Grant deftly plays the handsome and charming John Robie, a retired jewel thief formerly known as "the Cat," and he is as perplexing as he is entrancing. Grace Kelly was practically made for the role of the glamorous, affluent heiress vacationing in France who falls for Grant's character. She quite cleverly discovers his true identity and is immediately captivated by his outlaw status. From there, the story takes several twists and turns that are definitely worth seeing for yourself.
This is a film that boasts of both style and substance; the dialogue is fast-paced, witty, and smart. As the picture perfect couple drives to the south of France under the pretense of shopping for a villa for Grant's character (well la-dee-dah, your majesty) the two flirt by trading witty barbs back and forth. When Grant asks, "What do you expect to get out of being so nice to me?" Kelly replies, "Probably a lot more than you're willing to offer." See that? That's how you keep flirtation classy, folks. It doesn't have to be all about blatant sexual innuendo, especially not when subtle innuendo works best.
Hitchcock definitely deserves the credit he so often receives. He makes great use of the gorgeous French setting of the film. Almost every shot is absolutely beautiful and perfectly framed; it's not surprising that the film won an Oscar for Best Cinematography (which isn't to say that an Oscar is the ultimate proof of filmic quality, but hey, once in a while the Academy does manage to hit the nail on the head.)
Hitchcock hits all the right notes, so much so that if the film were updated for a modern audience and re-released today, many would probably find it to be a clichéd romantic mystery. But, Hitchcock did this genre right before anyone else, back when there was such a thing as subtlety, back when leading men were rugged and handsome rather than the creepily-plastic, androgynous man-boys that seem to be so rampantly popular nowadays (Zac Efron, anyone?) And he did it exceptionally well.
DVD Bonus Features
The extras on this one are both vast and informative. The first disc consists of the film itself, as well as feature commentary by Dr. Drew Casper, a Hitchcock film historian. Disc 2 contains a myriad of bonus features, including several documentaries such as "A Night with the Hitchcocks" and "Unacceptable Under the Code: Film Censorship in America." There's also a featurette on the writing and casting of the film, another one on the making of the film, the original theatrical trailer, photo galleries, an interactive travelogue, and more. The extras are a must for any Hitchcock fan, and the featurettes on the making of are particularly illuminating if you enjoy the film (which you probably will).
"To Catch a Thief: The Centennial Collection" is on sale March 24, 2009 and is rated . Crime-Thriller, Romance. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Written by David Dodge (novel), John Michael Hayes (screenplay). Starring Cary Grant, Grace Kelly.
