Under Capricorn

I am slowly going through the complete works of Hitchcock. I love Hitchcock films, and I've see all of the more popular ones. A dozen or so that I own I've seen many times. But I'm just now getting to some of the lesser knows, and I want the world to know that I've stumbled upon a masterpiece.

It probably isn't a masterpiece from a Hitchcock perspective. Certainly The Rope (the previous film) and both Stage Fright and Strangers on a Train (the next two films) have that deeper, richer Hitchcock style that keeps you on the edge of your chair and makes the films so compelling and are much more well known as "masterpieces." But this film is definitely a masterpiece of superb acting, most especially by Ingrid Bergman.

About half way through the film Ingrid Bergman has a monologue that is quite compelling. She is going on and on telling her story with such vivid expression, that you scarcely even notice how long she has been talking. It is really pulled off quite masterfully. When it was over, I caught my breath and thought to myself: wow, that was good. I wonder how long that monologue was.

Let me tell you, I don't have a long attention span. Most people talk to me and after about 2 and a half minutes my eyes are glazing over. Dialog is generally much more compelling to listen to, but when it comes to monologue, I can't think of a single script in memorable history, and a single monologue where someone is talking for more than about 3 minutes: because it just doesn't work. People lose interest. Monologue just can't keep you suspenseful for that long.

Well, it was so good that I decided to replay that one scene after the movie was over. The script is well written, but it is absolutely superbly played out! Ms. Bergman was speaking for a full 8 minutes, without the other character saying anything at all. She is walking around her bedroom, makes a full circle around her bed and then circles back, telling her story to Michael Wilding - and it is absolutely riveting for the whole 8 minutes.

They just don't know how to act like that these days. I doubt if there is a single actress or actor in Hollywood that could keep the audience in suspense for a full 8 minute monologue.

Well, I don't want to give anything away, but I'll tell you I found tears well up in the corners of my eyes at one point and actually let out a gasp with a few expletives at another.

I highly recommend this movie: if for nothing more than to get a taste of superb acting that relies upon nothing more but facial expression, hand gestures, and exquisite verbal intonation. (Not to mention the fact that Ms. Bergman was gorgeous.)

Cheers!