Charade (1963)
Genre: Comedy / Mystery
Duration: 113 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Stanley Donen
Stars: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and Walter Matthau
IMDb score:
7,8 (92.826)
Releasedate: 5 December 1963
Charade plot
"Is anyone really who they seem to be?"
Regina Lampert's plan to divorce her husband is drastically shattered: he is found murdered after stealing a huge amount of money. Shortly after his death, Regina encounters a mysterious man, known by various names, who is interested in the fortune of her late husband, as well as his former cronies, a bunch of villains. These suspect Regina of having the money in her possession. When these die one by one under mysterious circumstances, the mystery is complete.
Actors and actresses
Peter Joshua
Regina Lampert
Hamilton Bartholemew
Tex Panthollow
Herman Scobie
Sylvie Gaudel
Leopold Gideon
Edouard Grandpierre
Mr. Felix
Jean-Louis Gaudel
Reviews & comments
blurp194
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- 5543 messages
- 4226 votes
From one plot twist to another. A bit too much, actually, and a bit of suspension of disbelief is needed to come to the deserved bitter end of the perpetrator. In any case, the story really isn't what makes this movie worth watching. That's just Hepburn with her cute look, the rest is completely afterthought. Cary Grant may have pleased my mother with his appearance at the time, but to me he, too, is completely interchangeable with the rest of the rabble that populates the film, and for little more reason than to contrast hers with Hepburn. Perhaps with the only exception of Coburn, but I wonder if he is so senang in this role.
Bref. Hepburn, that's the point, but I'd rather see her in a movie like Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Film Pegasus (moderator films)
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- 31191 messages
- 5473 votes
A wonderful mix of tension, humor and romance. And Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn take excellent care of that. The fact that Grant has become a bit older (59 years at that time) is also good to laugh about at times. Think of the age difference with the 25 years younger Hepburn. But the scene in the shower also helps to hide his old age in a sublime way so that it doesn't get embarrassing.
The film can count on a star cast and that helps. It's a film that revolves around who you can actually trust and who you can't. Names like James Coburn, George Kennedy, Walter Matthau and also Jacques Marin are in good shape here. And we also see professionals behind the scenes. Directed by Stanley Donen (Singin' in the rain, Royal Wedding and Funny Face), cinematographer Charles Lang (Some like it hot and Sabrina), editor Jim Clark (Midnight Cowboy and Marathon Man) and the wonderful music of Henry Mancini (Pink Panther and Breakfast at Tiffany's).
Charade has not become the classic unfortunately. With the mix of tension, humor and romance, the comparison is quickly made with other films. The reference to Pink Panther and Hitchcock has been made a few times. However, the film deserves better. It's great to see how all the characters make themselves suspicious and you, as a viewer, also have the question of what the fork is. And the humor does work. The scene with Grant and the orange is hilarious. And little things like Hepburn throwing the ice cream at Crant or the shower scene always bring a smile. The romance is also good. Both have great charisma and at the same time they don't take themselves too seriously.
Underrated movie, but just enjoy it from start to finish. Lovely to see.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Dievegge
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- 3180 messages
- 8228 votes
Crime and humor often go hand in hand. The opening sequence with animation by Maurice Binder and swinging music by Henry Mancini immediately brings the necessary flair. The pace is fast, with fast dialogues and chases. In doing so, they descend further and further, from the French Alps to hotel rooms to the Seine and Parisian streets, to end underground with a chase in the metro. Phone booths, elevators, and even a prompter's booth temporarily hold characters, while trains, trams, and taxis keep them moving.
The story is as light as a meringue. The three protagonists are seasoned comedians. Audrey Hepburn is the fashionable Givenchy-suit-clad widow who must decide who to trust: Cary Grant or Walter Matthau, who both tell her a lot of lies. The mystery uses an old trick: the sought-after fortune is hidden in plain sight. False identities, puns and three crass villains complete the picture. Not to be taken seriously, but excellent entertainment.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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