Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion (1941)

Suspicion (1941)

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1941 thriller, Suspicion, produced by RKO Pictures, and based on the book Before the Fact by Francis Iles, is a masterclass in building unease. The story revolves around Lina McLaidlaw, played with a quiet intensity by Joan Fontaine, a somewhat timid woman who falls head over heels for the charming, yet financially irresponsible Johnnie Aysgarth, portrayed by Cary Grant. Their whirlwind romance culminates in marriage, but soon, Lina begins to suspect that her husband isn’t quite the man she thought he was, and that he may even be planning to kill her. The film plays on the audience’s own uncertainty, making us question Johnnie’s true nature right alongside Lina.

The way Hitchcock manipulates the camera and the narrative is what makes Suspicion such an effective film. One moment, Grant’s smile is disarming, the next it feels like a mask hiding something sinister. Lina’s increasing paranoia is palpable, and Fontaine does a tremendous job of conveying her character’s internal struggle. We watch her transform from a naive romantic into a woman consumed by fear, desperately trying to discern the truth. There’s a supporting cast here as well with Nigel Bruce playing Beaky Thwaite, Johnnie’s somewhat hapless friend, and Cedric Hardwicke as Lina’s overbearing father, General McLaidlaw. Also Dame May Whitty plays Mrs. Martha McLaidlaw.

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Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion (1941)

The movie’s use of suspense, rather than outright violence, allows it to be more psychologically affecting. The viewer is never quite sure what Johnnie is capable of, adding to the overall tension. It’s a film that demonstrates Hitchcock’s talent for creating unease through implication and suggestion. While not as flashy as some of his other work, the performances and direction make it a stand out movie.

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One of the most talked about things relating to Suspicion is its ending. Originally, Hitchcock intended for Johnnie to be revealed as a murderer, with Lina, in her final moments, sending a letter to her mother detailing his crimes. This would have been a dark, bleak conclusion. However, due to studio interference, RKO insisted on a more palatable ending, where it’s heavily implied that Johnnie is innocent, leaving the audience with a sense of uncertainty and a lack of resolution. It has been suggested that it was because the studio did not think Grant should play a villain, given his matinee idol status. This change, whilst perhaps more audience-friendly at the time, does alter the film’s impact. It moves the film away from a truly dark and cynical thriller, to one that leaves the viewer questioning what they have seen. Despite the altered ending, the performances and the direction remain top-tier, and it’s a watch that continues to keep you guessing about Johnnie’s true nature, and what kind of person he really is.

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Suspicion is an RKO Pictures production.
Release Date: 1941
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Joan Fontaine, Cary Grant, Nigel Bruce, Cedric Hardwicke, Dame May Whitty.

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.