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Charade: Special Edition
review by Anthony D.
Not Rated
Running Time: 114 Minutes
Starring Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, James Coburn,
Walter Matthau
Studio: Criterion
Written by Peter Stone
Directed by Stanley Donan
Retail Price: 39.99
Features: Theatrical Trailer, Audio Commentary by
Peter Stone and Stanley Donan, Stanley Donan Selected
Filmography with introduction by Donan Biographer Stephen
Silverman, Peter Stone's Career Highlights
Specs: 1.85:1 Non-Anamorphic Widescreen, Dolby
Digital Mono, English Captions, Chapter Search (22
Chapters)
Sophisticated is a word that is rarely used in this day
and age; except when talking of computer generated special
effects in film, i.e. "The Matrix" succeeds in being a great
entertainment in part due to its use of sophisticated
special effects shots. There was a time when "sophisticated"
referred to a sense of style, and anything sophisticated had
"class." Audrey Hepburn was the female definition of class,
Cary Grant, the male definition; and playing upon their
respective personas, screenwriter Peter Stone concocted a
sophisticated script to be directed by the director of such
"class" productions as "Singin' In The Rain" and "On The
Town" - Stanley Donen. The result was the utterly charming
"Charade".
"Charade" is a souffle of a film, light and airy, yet
capable of sating even the most jaded appetite. Working in a
"Hithcockian" vein, "Charade" is not only a mystery, and a
very engaging one at that, but a charming love story with a
twist. "Charade"'s games of identity, cat and mouse and
"whodunnit?" are played out against the background of the
City of Light: Paris. For Hitchcock fans there is even a
wonderful MacGuffin (a trivial matter that sets the action
in motion) as well as a sharply defined woman in jeopardy,
and a very surprising surprise ending. To say any more would
take the mystery away.
"Charade" is properly framed at 1.85:1 for its Criterion
release, and after a terribly spotted Universal logo, the
film commences with a mostly gorgeous digital transfer,
though not anamorphically enhanced. As with all mysteries,
the color black needs to be displayed in all its many shades
- - this transfer has exquisitely defined blacks even in its
many exterior night scenes. Even when Miss Hepburn sports a
Givenchy-designed black-net chapeau (hat, for the
non-Franco-philes out there), there is not a trace of
moiring. The flesh tones are adequate, if a little on the
soft side. Contrast is quite good as evidenced in the
heart-pounding sequence set in Paris' Les Halles (Chapter
20). Surprisingly enough, for a murder mystery, "Charade"
has very few reds, they are limited to several of Miss
Hepburn's costumes, and the reds there are stable with no
evidence of bleeding. The costumes show up in sharp detail,
even when they are intricately designed. Except for the
Universal logos, and one very visible artifact (Chapter 20)
this is one of the cleanest prints I have viewed in some
time.
The sound, which has been "sweetened from the 35mm
magnetic tracks," is presented in Dolby Digital mono, and
centered appropriately to the center speaker. Dialogue is
clear and understandable, all the better to savor Peter
Hunt's clever banter.
I've come to expect that any Criterion title will boast
fascinating supplemental material, and "Charade" does not
disappoint. For starters, there is a full-frame theatrical
trailer. The trailer itself is in horrible shape, making one
appreciate the new transfer all the more, and plays up the
romantic angle of the film. The talent files are limited to
screenwriter Peter Hunt and director Stanley Donen, but
these bios are done with class: still photos and text
highlighting each of their brilliant careers. Saving the
best for last, there is a scene-specific audio commentary
featuring Hunt and Donen. This has got to be one of the
funniest commentaries I have ever heard, not because the
participants are telling jokes, but because it comes off as
two grumpy old men recalling their non-consistent memories -
- they should have added co-star Walter Matthau to the mix
for a real laugh riot!
When I've mentioned "Charade" to friends, their normal
response is, "Oh, yes, Charade! That's one of my favorite
Hitchcock films!" Wrong! "Charade" is so brilliantly
directed by Stanley Donen in Hitchcockian mode, that many
people often mistake it for the work of the master of
suspense, and that is probably the highest praise one can
bestow upon Donen's film.
As for the performers, they are more than up to their
roles. In a distinct reversal of typical male/female roles,
Audrey Hepburn persues Cary Grant, in a believable romantic
way despite their age differences. Audrey always seemed to
work better romantically with older men: Gary Cooper in the
underrated "Love In The Afternoon", Humphrey Bogart in
"Sabrina" even Rex Harrison in "My Fair Lady"; but when
teemed with someone within her age range, results were far
from successful - - witness "War And Peace" or "Green
Mansions". James Coburn is one of a suitable slimy trio of
villains, including George Kennedy (how many Academy Award
winners are featured in this film?) And for comic relief
there's the incomparably Walter Matthau, playing completely
against type.
A damsel in distress, romantic Paris, murder, plot twists
and turns and really, really mean villains make "Charade" a
fine, entertaining evening of suspense - even if it WASN'T
directed by Hitchcock!
 (5/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (4/5)
 (3/5)
(3/5)
(4/5,
NOT an average)
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