<![CDATA[Combined which Hitchcock Films]]>Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Nick of Time

KutWrite — 9 years ago(October 25, 2016 07:33 PM)

OK, this move sucked. Even Depp and Walken couldn't save it, though Maffia almost did.
But, I started to think of it as an homage to some Hitchcock films. You know, ordinary guy forced into dangerous plot has to find a way out.
That somewhat excuses the Depp character* being so wimpy, afraid to speak out, afraid of guns, afraid to just shoot the Maffia character. And that in these days, we're supposed to care about a politician who will be punished for not keeping campaign promises.
(* I disliked this movie so much I've already forgotten the characters' names).
So, if you agree with me, which Hitchcock movies were wrapped up in this one?
I'll start off: "North by Northwest." Not nearly as interesting nor exciting, but several elements were present.
Might as well have some fun with this piece of dreck!

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/topic/219890/combined-which-hitchcock-filmsRSS for NodeTue, 12 May 2026 17:57:09 GMTSat, 02 May 2026 08:07:26 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Combined which Hitchcock Films on Sat, 02 May 2026 08:07:27 GMT]]>pdlussier1 — 9 years ago(January 26, 2017 01:21 AM)

Nice! I've always felt this film had a total Hitchcock vibe to it though I must confess to not having given it any more thought
I originally saw this in 1996 (a few times thanks to pay TV) and haven't re-watched it since. I remember liking this film quite a bitthought it was a taut thrillerbut was mostly impressed by the (then) ingenious technical work that gave us a very
fresh
film albeit its standard plot. I probably wouldn't feel the same way had I just seen it in the last few years rather than 20 years ago
Keep in mind that the whole thing unfurls in real time, is almost entirely filmed using handheld cameras, offers only one establishing shot, focuses on single, seamless takes and judiciously uses cuts as a narrative tool (being in real-time, it's essentially just one scene with limited settings and no temporal changes, etc.).
Badham certainly used more than his actors to tell a story; he carefully explored and exploited
technique
, not technology, and through that aspect alone the film oozes a Hitchcockian essence.
The overall structure and the long takes are reminiscent of "
Rope
"; the manner in which the tension is built and the stress is conveyed through camera movements and transitions brings to mind "
Vertigo
".
I'll stop there for now If I recall correctly, the ending isn't as technically strong and I found the last ten-or-so minutes weak, but I'd need to re-watch it.
Re the Depp character being a "wimp": few complaints of that on the board, but I don't remember this being an issue for me at all. Maybe because Depp didn't have such an established "hero" career back then? As you pointed out, he's just a regular guy, and an accountant to boot, caught in a bad situation. Plus, he fears for his daughter's life; based on all I know and all that I've experienced, his behaviour is far more realistic given such circumstances than were a nerdy accountant suddenly to turn into John McClane. Nonetheless, he makes it out pretty well
In this respect, adding to your "North by Northwest", there's also elements of "
The Man Who Knew Too Much
".
Ignorance is bliss 'til it posts on the Internet, then, it's annoying.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1845419https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1845419Sat, 02 May 2026 08:07:27 GMT