SHADOW OF A DOUBT

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: thematic elements

Rated:

Alfred Hitchcock considered this 1943 triumph to be his personal favorite over all his films, from Rebecca to Vertigo. And it's not difficult to see why. This chilling and intense film "brought murder and violence back into the home, where it rightfully belongs." From the scenes of psychotic deception that make it so incredibly real and evil, to the chilling premise, Shadow of a Doubt is one of the most overlooked and underestimated thrillers of all time. When Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) pays a visit to his sister and her family in the sleepy little town of Santa Rosa, the Newton family will never be the same. His favorite relative and namesake Young Charlie (Teresa Wright), a witty and pleasant young woman, swiftly wins over his heart; and he seems to have captivated her. The whole family speaks and thinks well of him. And Santa Rosa is a vast change from the gloomy corridors of the big city life that he once belonged to. In this sleepy little town, a new face is a marvel, and murder is something to be discussed over dinner as a reference to serial novels.

From bookworm Anne to the typical perfectionist little mother and the utterly un-serious father, Young Charlie seems to be the only one who senses something strange about her uncle. Believing she is of the same mind as he, she wittingly begins to play games with him... until her joyous experience turns into a nightmare. A ring with another woman's initials upon it. A newspaper that he has shredded and hidden away. A waltz that she can't seem to get out of her mind. All coupled with the mysterious two men that seem to be shadowing him, and Uncle Charlie's surprisingly violent nature when crossed. Uncle Charlie is more than he pretends to be. And when his namesake discovers the chilling truth behind his facade, the night may turn deadly. From the beginning, we know of something sinister in the man's past, and the film builds upon our desire to help the Newtons throughout the terrifying climax.

Hitchcock knew what he was doing, and did it well. With a series of unfolding clues, we begin to suspect, but don't actually know what he's accused of until Young Charlie stumbles across the answer in the newspaper. The film moves along at a slow pace, but is never dull. The violence and chase scenes of his later works are not represented here, where only chilling suspense keeps us watching. A gentle budding romance adds to the tension as Young Charlie falls for the handsome detective tracking her uncle. The most catching thing about this film is its premise of a happy, typical American family that you actually grow fond of. While not going overboard in backgrounds and personalities, we get to know each of the family members... and the mystery-buff neighbor Hawkins as well. 

Humor is laced throughout the screenplay, in particular the witty exchanges between Charlie's father and Hawkins. Adamant detective fans, their little dialogues on how they would murder each other and get away with it, while being ironic, are hilarious. Hitchcock wanted Joan Fontaine for the role after her success with Rebecca, but eventually chose Teresa Wright instead. It's actually an excellent choice... she plays well opposite the sinister Joseph Cotten as the girl forced to grow up in a mere matter of days. The audience fully identifies with her as a series of "accidents" plague her life... coincidence, or by design?

As far as being family worthy, this Hitchcock is a dazzling surprise. The suspense makes it unfit for young children, who would likely get bored with the clues anyway, and there are a few intense scenes where a character is nearly killed. The actual murders are never seen, there's no bad language, and no steamy relationships. The romance is a sweet and innocent one. The climax merely implies violence rather than showing it. It's probably one of my all-time favorite murder mysteries... nothing but good, clean, intense suspense. 

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