Notorious
Notorious

Movie spotlight

Notorious

1946
Movie
103 min
English

In order to help bring Nazis to justice, U.S. government agent T.R. Devlin recruits Alicia Huberman, the American daughter of a convicted German war criminal, as a spy. As they begin to fall for one another, Alicia is instructed to win the affections of Alexander Sebastian, a Nazi hiding out in Brazil. When Sebastian becomes serious about his relationship with Alicia, the stakes get higher, and Devlin must watch her slip further undercover.

Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic95
Google Users93%
Director: Alfred HitchcockGenres: Film-Noir, Romance, Thriller

Plot Summary

In post-WWII Rio de Janeiro, American agent T.R. Devlin is tasked with enlisting the help of Alicia Huberman, a socialite with a notorious past, to spy on a group of Nazi war criminals. Their mission becomes complicated when Devlin and Alicia fall in love, forcing them to navigate dangerous espionage, seduction, and betrayal. As they get closer to uncovering the secrets of the enigmatic Alexander Sebastian, their lives hang in the balance.

Critical Reception

Notorious was a critical and commercial success upon its release, widely praised for its suspenseful plotting, Hitchcock's masterful direction, and the compelling performances of its lead actors. It is considered one of Hitchcock's finest works and a classic of the film noir genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sophisticated blend of espionage, romance, and suspense.

  • Hitchcock's masterful direction creates an atmosphere of palpable tension and intrigue.

  • Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant deliver iconic performances, complemented by Claude Rains' chilling portrayal.

Google audience: Audiences consistently praise 'Notorious' for its gripping plot, stylish direction, and the magnetic chemistry between Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant. Many highlight the film's sophisticated approach to suspense and its enduring relevance.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Recording. Included in the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest films.

Fun Fact

The iconic scene where Cary Grant's character, T.R. Devlin, is drunk and unable to unlock his door was improvised by Grant, who felt the character's emotional turmoil warranted such a moment.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant just ooze charisma in this classic Hitchcock story of espionage and romance. She ("Alicia") has taken to the bottle following the conviction of her Nazi father and is heading down the slippery slope when she is...

Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

Good thriller from Alfred Hitschcock.