North by Northwest (1959)
Before 007, there was North by Northwest.
Presentation:
An iconic Hitchcock classic known for its extraordinary production, this may not be his best film but it could be his most entertaining. The spy adventure rarely takes itself seriously with its popcorn flair and suspense, focusing on its grand globetrotting value spanning Mount Rushmore, crop fields, and New York skyscrapers. I love the style and vintage cars; the cinematography is great and on par with Vertigo. The whole time I was watching I saw the makings of a slick James Bond.
Conclusion:
My main complaint is the story was incredibly shallow for me. If you don’t fall asleep like I did, you’ll have to turn off your brain to enjoy this carnivalesque spy conspiracy thriller. For a popcorn flick, I think 2 and a half hours was a bit long, but I’m glad I stuck with it to witness those incredible locations.
Recommendations
Before 007, there was North by Northwest.