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Title: Essential Hitchcock
Review: Apart from being one of Alfred Hitchcock's genuine masterworks, "Notorious" (1946) represents Cary Grant's strongest dramatic performance. His portrayal of counterspy Devlin remains so emotionally cold and dark that it leaves no room for his traditional humor. Ben Hecht's detailed screenplay depicts Hitchcock's cruelest romance. Devlin emerges as an unsympathetic sadist who seduces and manipulates Alicia (Ingrid Bergman), an alcoholic nymphomaniac, into helping the U.S. Government obtain secrets by marrying the Nazi spy Sebastian (Claude Rains), who actually loves her more than Devlin does. With the inspired casting of Bergman and Rains, the love triangle in "Notorious" is similar to "Casablanca." However, there is no stirring display of patriotism or sentimentality. Furthermore, Hitchcock was the only filmmaker to strip Grant of his protective charm - and never again would the actor venture into such uncertain, disturbing territory.
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