To Catch a Thief (1955)

I have always been a fan of Grace Kelly and I very much enjoyed her performance in this film. The dialogue of this film was very snappy and entertaining, and was able to keep my attention. Very worth watching

1955's "To Catch a Thief", directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Starring Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams, and Brigitte Auber. Hitchcock is of course hailed as an auteur master of suspense and tension, and his "Vertigo" regularly dukes it out with Welles' "Citizen Kane" for consideration of the greatest film of all time. However, "To Catch a Thief" plays it cool, with much less suspense than your typical Hitchcockian fare. Focusing on the exploits of a retired jewel thief (Cary Grant), he breezily lives in the South of France, and discovers that he needs to clear his name after the exploits from a copycat burglar put him at risk with the authorities. Grace Kelly shows up as the wealthy daughter of a potential target, who sees through Grant's charms. Their chemistry is palpable (I'm curious if their scene where they make out while fireworks flash in the background inspired the term, "...and then fireworks ensued?") and a treat. "TCaT" also won an Oscar for best cinematography, as Hitchcock was experimenting with wide angle lenses now common place today. But as the characters cruise around the cliffs of France, it's tough to say there's much else going on, other than some overt commentary on how nice being casually rich is.It was really interesting to watch the scene where Kelly recklessly speeds their car through twisty roads, as it was a traffic accident that killed her in real life. Fun and effortless entertainment, can only go so far it seems. By the end of the movie, you have to wonder at the surprise twist if it wasn't the person it needed to be for maximum effect. This is one caper that is guilty of relative underachievement.3/5For more thoughts, check out: http://animausimages.blogspot.ca/

John Robie, an American living on the French Riviera, is in a spot of bother. Before the war he was an infamous jewel thief, known as 'The Cat' but after serving in the resistance he has been allowed to live in peace… that is until somebody starts committing near identical robberies. The police and his former associates, who are trying to go straight, believe he has returned to his old ways while he protests his innocence. To prove his innocence he meets with insurance agent H. H. Hughson and comes up with an unusual proposition; if Hughson gives him a list of his wealthy clients and the value of the jewellery he will figure out who the 'New Cat' will strike against… of course if Robie has returned to his old life such a list would be invaluable.He soon picks a name on the list, a wealthy American woman, and goes about befriending her and her beautiful daughter Frances. Inevitably he grows close to Frances but there are a couple of complications; Danielle Foussard, the daughter of an old friend, is flirting with him and Frances soon figures out who he really is.This is one of Hitchcock's lighter films; it may be set against a background of crime but it is still a romance at heart. Cary Grant does a fine job as Robie, he may be rather old compared to his female co-stars but not to such a degree that it any relationship seems unbelievable… especially as he is posing as a wealthy man. Grace Kelly is fun as Danielle; beautiful but with a dangerous streak and Brigitte Auber brings a different sort of sexiness to the role of Danielle. We are also treated to fine performances from John Williams as Hughson and Jessie Royce Landis as Danielle's mother. There are plenty of amusing moments and a few twists and turns before the identity of the thief is exposed in a thrilling roof-top finale. We are also treated to frequent views of the beautiful scenery of the Riviera. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting a film with a bit of mystery, a bit of action, lots of great scenery, a good looking cast, a little romance and a decent number of laughs; all without anything that could be considered offensive.

Alfred Hitchcock films usually fall into one of two categories: either they are taught, tense thrillers (e.g. Psycho), or they contain a lot of "eye candy" in both the acting and cinematography department. "To Catch A Thief" falls mostly in that second category.For a basic plot summary, this film focuses on retired jewel thief John Robie (Cary Grant), who may or may not be continuing his string of past burglaries (or is he being framed?). Along the way, Robie meets and falls hard for Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly).There are many things about this movie to enjoy. It is (as befitting a Kelly flick) "high fashion, high society" all the way, with diamonds and ball gowns figuring heavily into the screenplay. Kelly and Grant both play the exact same persona they are known for, but do so perfectly. There is romance, humor, and a whole lot of tuxedos/gowns.However, those into Hitchcock for his plots/suspense will be disappointed when, after a strong start, the film loses its dramatic steam about half way through. In a rare Hitch faux pas, the suspense kernel of the film is resolved roughly at the midpoint, allowing the "society" stuff to dominate the rest of the way.Overall, this is very much more of a light-hearted Hitchcock effort. It has a bit of decent plot, but this one is all about the actors and their high-society roles. If you like that kind of filmmaking, then this one will be a real treat for you. If not, it will just be so-so.