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Marnie (1964)

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Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Writer: Jay Presson Allen (screenplay), Winston Graham (novel)

Cast: Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery, Diane Baker

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance

Runtime: 130 minutes

After The Birds, actress Tippi Hedren shortly got the contract for a drama film which I think shows her best ability to act as a troubled woman, called Marnie. A story about a woman who has serious psychological problem, and is a habitual thief marries to a man who tries to help her, this film is a wonderful success to entertain public, to be honest.

Hedren shows her best, again

Different personality of the character in The Birds portrayed by Hedren, she actually looks completely different yet charming! Also starring Sean Connery as the man named Mark Rutland who helps Marnie or Margaret Edgar with also all of her aliases to get through her problem, and later becoming as her husband. Since the story is more about sexual relationship, it has the relationship likewise in Hitchcock's Notorious with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, or James Stewart and Grace Kelly in Rear Window.

A romantic and strange couple

The two stars, Ms. Hedren and Mr. Connery, are perhaps forced into the role to be as good as both Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. But, still the two stars look perfectly matched to be in. The other cast members are supporting pretty well and connected to every scene. It seems that some actors have the inadequate acting and subordinate roles. Probably, it's the only influencing problem for this film. Apart of the casts, this film has less mysterious script than any Hitchcock's masterpieces. It's a romance and drama. But the sense about a "mystery" in it is lessened, making it less freshness, too.

Hedren is always wonderful!

Hedren's character, Marnie is never been as a big matter. Precisely done very well by Ms. Hedren. But, the strange feeling is just be kept as Marnie, a tease, a liar and a thief that robbed much money wherever she works at, is also a weak and chaste child, the same as "Mama girl". Also, looks like she goes weaker in every scene. Nonetheless, Marnie still has the air of a plumb cunning and psychoneurotic as she steals, she lies, she's afraid of thunder and red color, also her jealous to her mother's love to other kid that turns her enviously cranky. Thus, the lovely Tippi Hedren possibly turned Marnie into a crazy, charming, and lovable character.

Here, there's the typical scene where Marnie unexpectedly stripped by Mark after they briefly got married without huge romantic reason. Well, Marnie definitely shows her craziness for some scenes and also this scene. When she goes crazy, Mark always be the one who gallantly confronts her well. During its final scene where the secret is uncovered, it's not the best. With Marnie suddenly being a very childish with her tiny voice, is actually the key of all secret. The flashback without obvious reason is helping Marnie to remember everything in her childhood. Looks a bit weird, but still could be tolerated as Marnie killed a man later.

As a conclusion, Marnie is not a bad movie, it mixed in good and bad. The story still can be an enjoyable piece to watch again and again. Both stars give reliable performance that makes an art. The expectedly to be a masterpiece, unexpectedly keeps the flaw, made a crying shame.

Rating: A