Marnie (DVD 2001)

Another outstanding film from the Master starring Sean Connery and Tippi Hedren. We follow a beautiful woman (Hedren) who applies for jobs, works her way into her employer's confidence and then robs them when the opportunity arises. Until, that is, she encounters Sean Connery - who is convinced that marrying her will cure her of her kleptomania. The heavy-handed Freudian themes make this film seem quite dated, but the performances, writing and direction are utterly superb and make the film genuinely gripping from beginning to end. It's also great to see Sean Connery show what he can do with a more substantial part.

Story: In terms of psychological power and innovative visual techniques, MARNIE ranks alongside VERTIGO and PSYCHO as one of Alfred Hitchcock's most exceptional films. This thriller, based on a best-selling novel by Wilson Graham, revolves around Marnie (Tippi Hedren), a pathological liar and compulsive thief who is befriended by her latest victim, Mark Rutland (Sean Connery). Despite his sincere love, dashing looks, and wealth, some deep-seated neurosis makes her emotionally inaccessible, causing him to search her past for an explanation. This is Connery’s American film debut, and he portrays his character’s fascination with Marnie with a conviction that allows the psychological turmoil of the young woman to emerge. Hedren’s performance as the deeply conflicted and emotionally scarred woman walks the fine line favored by Hitchcock, balanced between an icy sexuality and emotional fragility. The director wants to show the audience Marnie’s world and fears, so he uses a range of innovative visual techniques--including awkward rear projections, flashes of color, and a menacing atmosphere of storms--to convey her troubled state of mind. MARNIE is one of Hitchcock's most underrated and underappreciated films.

Comments: Great Acting, Great Topic, Good Film 5/5 = Excellent :)

I liked the digging of Sean Connery into Marnie's past. Film Is Well set-up, easy to follow and very dramatic.

Director is Hitchcock who is known for his unique, well set-up movie-making.

The should have let Marnie's hair hang loose more often then only when she's horse-riding, she's more pretty that way.

The End is abrupt though, she finally knows about the cause of her phobias and all, but whether she will be cured is not sure in this movie.

Great movie to rent, buy or watch it on TV.
A+ in my book.