Charade

Rating:
Summary: When we played our charade...
Review: Audrey Hepburn plays a stylish widow whose husband, it seems, helped to steal a lot of government money during WWII. She barely knew her late husband, and has no idea where he might have hidden the money. Walter Matthau, CIA agent, works with her to find it. Enter Cary Grant who comes to her rescue, but the baddies tell her he was actually in on the heist! What to do? Who to trust? Plot twists and changes of identity pop up throughout the film, and the real truth isn't known until the last scene, which is, as Audrey would say, "Mahhvelous!"

Cary Grant is said to have been embarrassed by the age difference between Audrey and himself, and was reluctant to kiss her. He needn't have worried...he is one hot hunk in this movie, and they make an adorable couple. She, of course, is gorgeous, as well as very funny and as cute as can be. Even though I've seen it many times and know the answers to all the questions in the film, it is still a pleasure to watch Grant and Hepburn flirt their way through Paris. Walter Matthau is top notch, as are James Coburn and George Kennedy as comic book-type villians. A remake of this movie is about to be released to the theatres; I won't be seeing it. I will rewatch this version and love every funny, scary, romantic moment of it.

Rating:
Summary: Great Picture being Re-Released!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: That's right, your eyes weren't fooling you: The very rare criterion collection version of Charade is being re-released! On the Criterion Collection website it says that it will be released in April and will be transferred to a new 16x9 format! I can't beleive this is happening! Ever since I saw the film I knew I needed the best DVD version of it but the Criterions had lost the rights to it and were forced to no longer sell it but here it is again. This is pure and utter joy for a film of this stature to be given the features it deserves. This is pure joy to my heart! Pure joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Get great quality CHARADE on THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE - DVD
Review: Why spend a fortune on Criterion when you can get excellent HIDEF quality on "The Truth about Charlie" - a much less expensive DVD??? Even though the latter movie is a terrible remake of the former, side 2 of that DVD contains a complete version of Charade.

Rating:
Summary: LOOKING GOOD! BUT IS IT WORTH THE PRICE?
Review: I have a problem with Criterion charging an arm and a leg for their DVD's when so many of them are released with little more than bare bones in the way of extra features. The company's issue of this classic thriller from director Stanley Donen, "Charade" is no exception. Plot wise: Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) returns home to discover that her apartment has been cleaned out, her husband is dead and that she was married to a double agent who had embezzled a ton of money. Into this mix comes the mysterious, savy stranger with too many names played by Cary Grant. He is determined to put Regina's mind at ease but is he or isn't he working for the same men who killed Regina's husband. Also in the cast, James Coburn and Walter Matthau in an uncharacteristically serious role.
"Charade" is a classic in every sense of the word, but Criterion has done a rather lack luster job on mastering the DVD. Although colors are exceptionally vibrant and sharp, there is a considerable amount of edge enhancement and fine shimmering that is detected in horizontal and vertical details. Also, while "Charade" is presented in its widescreen aspect ratio, this disc has not been enhanced to take full advantage of hi-resolution, widescreen televisions. In the way of extras we get a bio on Stanley Donen that you can (of all things) read like an essay by using your advance buttons on your DVD player. (Really, I don't know of a single individual who reads extensively from their television screen)and a theatrical trailer. That's it. Criterion's packaging makes it sound like RSDL DVD engineering is a big plus but actually all DVD's are mastered in this format. Criterion as advertises the film as being offered in a "pristine new digital transfer". The actual transfer falls short of this high praise. What Criterion really needs to do is get studio approval from the company that produced the film and then do a definitive documentary on the making-of, if they really want their Canadian consumers to shell out [$$$]for their movies. They also need to do a better job on the actual mastering of the print. Then, they might be worth the money!

Rating:
Summary: You know what's wrong with Charade? Nothing!
Review: Charade is a wonderfully pleasant mystery/comedy/thriller from director Stanley Donen (Singin' In The Rain, Indiscreet) and writer Peter Stone. The all-star cast includes Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, James Coburn, Walter Matthau and George Kennedy. It was filmed on gorgeous locations in Paris and the French Alps. However, what really shines about Charade, in addition to the cast is the Peter Stone's script which manages to juggle a clever, twisty plot with delicious dialogue. The rapport between Grant and Hepburn carries the film and they are a believable, attractive couple despite their large age difference. Supporting players are wonderful, especially Walter Matthau as the CIA man who seems to be the only person that Hepburn can trust. The film manages to be light-hearted, yet suspenseful at the same time. It goes effortlessly back and forth between comedy and suspense, with the sort of flair that only Hitchcock had been able to pull off. With the great cast, wonderful dialogue, lots of surprises, and beautiful French locations, Charade is nothing less than a winner. This is a must see for anyone who enjoys mystery thrillers, or by anyone who's a fan of Hitchcock or Grant and/or Hepburn.

Rating:
Summary: Fun Film
Review: Before you see this move, brush up on your Hitchcock, especially "North By Northwest," as there are a few allusions. OF course, this film is not on the par with the Big H, but it has earned the title of "The Best Film Alfred Hitchcock NEVER Made."

This is a rather fun move; it has a splash of everything. From the soft accents of Hepburn and Grant that seem out of place in and American Embassy, and the obscure McGuffen, to the silliness and frivolity of Grant and Hepburn, this film is perfect and complete. I love the "plots within plots" and the "masks within masks" remind of Joseph Campbell.

This film is great for a family with mid-teens. It is suspenseful, but not too suspenseful, and the other dimensions round out this film. It is a nice alternative to Kill Bill slasher films.

Rating:
Summary: A Delicious Mystery
Review: This is the kind of classy entertainment missing from the movies today. Stanley Donen and Peter Stone cooked up this delicious souffle of a movie and got Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn to star in this comedy mystery set in Paris. Donen doesn't try to overpower us with his location, making it all the more effective as a backdrop to this twisty confection. Even the famous Mancini score is used in a soft and subtle way to create a film of elegance and style.

Regina Lambert (Audrey Hepburn) is in Paris contemplating a divorce from husband Charlie who she no longer loves and knows very little about. When he is murdered, Inspector Edouard Grandpierre (Jacques Marin) and CIA man Hamilton Bartholomew (Walter Matthau) begin to fill in the holes of Charlie's checkered past and inform Reggie how much danger she is in. It seems that some very shady and determined characters want the $250,000.00 Charlie had that is now missing. Luckily for her, Cary Grant shows up to be her white knight and protector from these thugs; or is it?

James Coburn as Tex and George Kennedy as Scobie are particularly menacing as two of the bad guys after Reggie, who they think has the money. But telling the bad guys from the good guys gets more complicated by the minute as she discovers lie after lie that Grant has told her and he changes his identity with every new story he tells her. It even turns out he knows these guys. Yet, Reggie finds herself falling for the older but distinguished Grant anyway and by the end of this film she may just have to take a leap of faith to save her own life.

There are some teriffic moments in this film with Cary and Audrey including a scene in a nightclub involving a fun dance and an orange! The romantic atmosphere is punctuated by a ferry boat excursion at night, Mancini's chorus of "Charade" softly playing in the background. This is classy and stylish entertainment produced and directed by Stanley Donen.

The two stars were at their peak here, as was Stanley Donen. A delightful and suspenseful film with great locations, teriffic stars, and an innocent, romantic glow. You'll be suprised where the $250,000.00 is "hidden" and just what is really going on here. This film has a marvelous ending and will make you wonder why they don't make films like this anymore. Maybe it's because they can't. You have to own a copy of this one......

Rating:
Summary: GRANT AND HEPBURN MAKE MAGIC!
Review: With two of the world's great charmers, this film can't miss. At first I was puzzled: Is it a romantic comedy? Is it a spoof on spy movies? Or is it simply a mystery? After a while I didn't care. To heck with what it is supposed to be. It's just plain fun!

I don't believe Cary Grant has ever been more appealing than in this film, in which he plays a man with a mysterious identity. And Audrey Hepburn is glorious in her lucious clothing designed for her by Givenchy. Her wardrobe in this film is to die for.

Her husband is murdered. There is a great sum of missing money. Unsavory characters want to find it. They almost border on charicature: James Coburn, George Kennedy, and Ned Glass create these roles. And Walter Matthau is, as usual, up to form.

Then there is the haunting and lovely music by Henry Mancini. The beautiful cinematograpy of Paris. A fast-paced story, with unexpected twists around every corner. And some moments of humor which will make you laugh.

I call this a souffle of a movie. It has spirit. It has elan. It is one of the most sylish movies I have ever been fortunate enough to view.

Rating:
Summary: That's Entertainment!
Review: I saw this movie in 1963 when it was released. I was captivated by it then and remain so. The kaleidoscopic opening credits are as beautiful as I remember, and the chase scenes-- on foot here-- are still exciting. We will never see anyone like Audrey Hepburn again. A total original, she and Gary Grant-- showing considerable skill as a comedian here-- are magnificent as a couple, having both style and electricity, often forgotten qualities in many of today's leading actors. Heburn and Grant are assisted by the likes of James Coburn, a young Walter Matthau and George Kennedy in supporting roles. Then there's Henry Mancini's score and direction by Stanley Donen. The plot takes many interesting twists and turns as Ms. Hepburn tries to figure out just who the dashing Mr. Grant really is-- a criminal or her savior or perhaps both or neither.

If you've seen this movie before, you'll enjoy a replay. If this is your first time, you'll in for a real treat, a delightful way to spend an evening.

Rating:
Summary: Good mystery--stiff romance
Review: The mystery in this movie is great...dark characters, and questions at every turn, along with a great ending! However, I did not find the romance between Hepburn and Grant believable. Their relationship seems forced, with the Hepburn character to bright to fall for the lame explanations that she is given by Grant's character.

I would have appreciated a less definitive ending with respect to their relationship, which would have been fine given how the mystery aspect of the story comes to a close.