To Catch a Thief (1955)

 Alfred Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief"


After dishing out "Rear Window," the best film he had made in his career up until that point, Alfred Hitchcock decided to go on holiday. He did not take a break from making films, mind you. Rather, Hitchcock decided to make his 1955 film "To Catch a Thief" because he fancied himself a holiday in France. Watching the film makes it feel like you are watching Hitchcock on holiday. The film is full of lavish locations, beautiful views, and expensive aerial shots that were filmed from a G-AJOV helicopter. 

The plot of the film, as well as its visual style, plays out like a James Bond movie, well before the character of Bond ever hit the screen in 1962 with "Dr. No."  Cary Grant even behaves like James Bond. Grant, in 1953, had announced his retirement from acting. He felt that with screen presences like Marlon Brando and Montgomery Cliff, his type of acting was no longer required in the film industry. However, "To Catch a Thief" lured him back. At least, for the next 11 years. He plays a retired jewel thief who is being suspected by police of returning to his passion. He has not, and decides to track down the person mimicking his thieving styles in order to evade arrest himself. He visits lavish locations throughout France in the process, eventually meeting up with Grace Kelly's Frances, who joins him in his pursuit.

Because of its straightforward story, action/spy aesthetic, lavish locations, and Bond-esque style, "To Catch a Thief" is perhaps Hitchcock's most 'commercial' film. Its sole intension is to entertain and amuse, presenting to the viewer a casual spy-caper, something that would be far more popular in the next decade. It's not a dull film by any means. However, it is something I would consider a casual viewing experience, nothing more and nothing less.



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