Rating: 
Summary: Great acting, but where was the suspense...
Review: Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman did an amazing job acting in "Notorious." I also loved the creativity in the camera shots and angles, with some of the most creative ones coming from Bergman's point-of-view, in my opinion.The film didn't have the level of suspense that I expected it might. In fact, I didn't really really the movie had much suspense at all until well over halfway into it. The film also dragged in some parts, as did many other Hitchcock films. Nonetheless, Ingrid Bergman's wodnerful acting makes up for all this. I think this film is a must-see for any Hitchcock fan or any fan of classic movies. While it's not my favorite Hitchcock film, it holds its own amidst some very stiff competition (My favorite is a tie between "Rear Window" and "Psycho"). It's also aged very well, like a fine wine, or whatever they keep in the cellar.
Rating: 
Summary: One of Hitchcock's Finest
Review: Absolutely quintessential Hitchcock! Ingrid Bergman plays the ideal "icy, cool" blonde that is central to most of Hitchcock's works and Cary Grant plays the debonair and suave agent who must deal with the "love vs. duty" theme. Listen for the popping of corks and pouring of champage as Hitchcock uses sound to build suspense at the party. Be on the lookout and see if you can find Hitchcock's cameo (like in all his other works!). Grant fans should check out Suspicion and North by Northwest, while Bergman aficionados should see Spellbound.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful movie, ahead of its time!
Review: This is a WONDERFUL movie, capable of holding the attention of even the most MTV-minded "yoots" of today. If you've never seen a Hitchcock film, try "North By Northwest" first, then watch this! The cinematography is EXCELLENT (especially the famous "party shot") and after seeing this you'll know where Scorsecse got a lot of his ideas. Ingrid Bergam is lovely as ever, and Cary Grant is the suave, yet distant love interest. Lots of hidden stuff (especially the "kissing scene") and a GREAT behind the scenes story (use the 'Net to read up on the making of this), NOTORIOUS will NOT disappoint!
Rating:
Summary: a wonderfully suspensful movie
Review: I thought that this movie was a wonderful tale of romance and suspense. Grant and Bergman (who always make a great couple onscreen) were amazing in the lead roles and Hitchcock made every frame suspensful
Rating:
Summary: Criterion Disappoints.
Review: This is the first Criterion DVD that I've ever owned. I must say, I was pretty surprised by the price, but promises of extra treatment over standard editions of this movie convinced me to go the extra mile and pay twice as much. Notorious is, perhaps, my favorite movie with Cary Grant. Bergman's performance is excellent, to say the least (I think I'm in love with her now). The way that she passionately kisses Mr. Grant excites like no movies can. The look in her eyes makes her seem as though she is truly in love with him; which is exceptional for "acting". Grant's response seem almost insensitive, rejecting her for her "ways". It's very convincing work. The connection between the two characters amazes me, and the movie seems way ahead of its time. Claude Raines plays an overlooked (but perhaps the most important) performance that amazes me as well. Its definately a movie for all fans of classics to own. There's no doubt, in my mind, that this is deserving of 5 stars. It's probably one of my favorite classic films. I have no regrets with buying this movie, but I feel very let-down by Criterion. Their attempts do not justify the jacked-up cost. The extras, at best, are pretty disappointing. The RKO radio broadcast (which is the best inclusion) is fairly sub-par in comparison to the film, especially since it was cut short to fit into 60 minutes. The "deleted scenes" and extras are merely text descriptions in most cases. All of this is material that has been in the Internet fan sites for years. As for the quality of the film; I'm neither impressed nor disappointed. The crispness of the film is certainly excpetional, but it almost feels a bit unnatural for such an old film. The "graininess" that many complain of is visable on a high-res TV or monitor (I watched on my standard TV and my PC as well), but it seems to be inherent in the film master itself. Dust particles and artifacts are pretty typical on older movies. Not bad, but not breathtaking. I'm happy with the video and audio quality. Overall, it's a 5-star movie, but Criterion's effort is a 3 or 4 star attempt for the severe price-inflation. Unless you really must have this version, I can't see why the Anchor Bay release wouldn't be a suitable alternative. The picture quality is different, but each is nice in its own way. I will probably own both (in addition to possible future releases).
Rating:
Summary: Another Tense Drama From The Master
Review: "Notorious" is another great Hitchcock drama. The story is set in the immediate post-WW II period. Ingrid Bergman plays the daughter of a convicted Nazi spy. Cary Grant is a US agent assigned to recruit her to crack a ring of wealthy and ambitious German recalcitrants operating in Brazil. Claude Rains is the leader of the German cabal in Brazil. The first minutes of the film felt dated and a bit awkward to me. Bergman's character is seen hosting a drunken party. I assume this is intended to establish her "notorious" reputation -- to make her appear to be a "loose woman". It's not very convincing by today's standards, more like a parody of "loose" behavior than the real deal. Also, there is the whole notion of getting excited about a few unrepentant Germans stuck in Brazil. Again, from today's perspective, they just don't seem likely to be very dangerous. It wasn't Hitler, after all. Just a group of business men who efforts seemed rather inept. They would have seemed much more dangerous in 1946, I suppose. Hitchcock adds some clever touches to the early scenes, though. At one point, a hungover Bergman watches Grant cross the room toward her with her head on the edge of a bed. Some tricky camera work shows Grant as she might see him. By the time Grant reached her, I felt almost as disoriented as she was supposed to be. Once the action moves from Miami to Rio, the tension builds steadily. The Germans, if not a serious threat to world peace, are sufficiently sinister and nasty to arouse active dislike. The plot becomes ever more engrossing as Bergman gets more deeply enmeshed in the deadly game being played out between Grant and Rains. The acting is superb and the story is taut right to the very end. "Notorious" is one of Hitchcock's best movies and a genuine classic. It will have most of you on the edge of your seats. That's where I was by the finish. Give it a try. I recommend it very highly.
Rating: 
Summary: I kept waiting for something to happen.
Review: CAUTION: CONTAINS SPOILERS!
I was expecting this film to be wonderful given the pedigrees of the cast, director, and screenwriter and the nearly unanimous rave reviews, but I was sorely disappointed. I found it to be talky, stagey, slow-paced, and overall, just plain dull. Bergman and Grant were excellent, but I did not feel this was one of Hitchcock's best. And as for the "suspenseful climax" and ending ... Cary Grant carries Ingrid Bergman down the stairs and out of the house right in front of all the assembled villains, then puts her into his car as Claude Rains whines? I was expecting a nail-biter. What I got was a sleep-inducer, and it ended with a whimper, not a bang.
I give it three stars for the talent involved and for the cinematography.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Hitchcock -- I watched the black & white VHS
Review: Crisp and clear copy of a truly classic movie.
Set in the period immediately after World War II, Cary Grant plays a secret agent who recruits Ingmar Bergmann, who plays the daughter of a man sentenced to prison for treason, to help him get information about the activities of some Nazis who have moved to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Ingmar's character has quite a reputation for being fast and loose, not to mention a heavy drinker, but Cary Grant quickly falls in love with her and vice versa. In the meantime, he has to ask her to take up with an old boyfriend who is living in Rio and involved in some dangerous but unknown shenanigans with his Nazi buddies. For this, Ingmar must be willing to go to some extreme lengths that place her in danger and create serious problems in pursuing her love of Cary Grant.
The Rio setting is glamorous, the pacing perfect -- every scene is necessary and just the right length to keep the plot moving. This is one of Hitchcock's best movies, in my opinion, but then I love mysteries -- and there is a mystery here, which is what these nasty Nazi emigres are up to in Brazil.
It seems superfluous for me to recommend such a celebrated movie, but if you like classic movies, this is one of the best.
Rating:
Summary: fine Hitchcock thriller with lovely Ingrid Bergman
Review: NOTORIOUS is one of Alfred Hitchcock's finest films of the 1940's, featuring the amazing Ingrid Bergman with Cary Grant and Claude Rains.
The story concerns Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman), the daughter of a convicted Nazi. She's a hard-boiled young lady with quite a chip on her shoulder and a fondness for hitting the bottle (no doubt stemming from the fact that she severed all ties with her father during his conviction).
When Alicia meets suave agent Devlin (Cary Grant) he asks if she will cooperate in bringing to justice more Nazi's, who still pose a threat. She agrees and follows Devlin to Rio, where she soon wins the affections of Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains).
What is the dreadful secret hidden in the wine cellar? And what of Alex's eerie mother (played so effectively by Madame Konstantin)?...
This is probably one of Ingrid Bergman's most real and human performances. She was always an exceptional actress, but she's especially grand here (Alicia is a flawed character, but the audience immediately falls in love with her) Cary Grant and Claude Rains are superb; Rains gives the Nazi agent Alex a sympathetic edge, and we actually feel sorry for him by the end. Madame Konstantin gives a truly terrifying performance as Alex's menacing mother.
Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman would reunite in 1958 for the delightful romantic comedy INDISCREET.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Master's best
Review: This could be Hitchcock's greatest film, but he made so many great ones that it's hard to separate the top five or so. It probably hasn't received the acclaim it deserves, because it was filmed in non-widescreen black and white. But the cinematographic techniques, especially involving shadowing, are excellent. Awesome casting and great performances, especially by Claude Rains, who is one of the most prolific supporting actors of all time (see Casablanca, for example). But the real treat is the wonderful mixture of intrigue and romance, which was Hitchcock's trademark. He once said that he didn't make murder mysteries, but rather love stories. This is a classic example. If you think you know Hitchcock, but haven't seen this film, you're in for a fantastic experience. And the final scene is unforgettable.
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