Loosely based on Francis Iles’ novel, “Before the Fact”, Suspicion begins with the handsome and mischievous rogue Johnnie Aysgarth (Cary Grant) meeting shy Lina McLaidlaw (Joan Fontaine) on a train. Lina falls for Johnnie’s charm and the two are married shortly after. However, after the honeymoon it becomes clear that Johnnie is heavily in debt and borrowing money from his friends to pay for his gambling habit. Slowly, Lina begins to suspect that Johnnie is capable of murder in order to get himself out of debt.While it may lack some of the complexity and thrills of Hitchcock’s very best films, Suspicion sustains a good level of intrigue and suspense mixed with some of his trademark black humour. Hitchcock’s prowess and unique style behind the camera is immediately evident and there is good chemistry between the two leading stars. Grant is debonair, mysterious, funny and dark and, as always, I find him great to watch; he can do so much with a single gesture or expression. Meanwhile, Fontaine (in an Oscar-winning role that has similarities with her one previous outing with Hitchcock, Rebecca (1940)) is also very good and allows the viewer to associate with her, feeling her anxiety and fear, as we question the true nature of Johnnie’s character.
Unfortunately, RKO Studios demanded that the ending of the film be changed and it could be argued that this somewhat undermines what has gone before. Despite this weakness, there is still enough interest and suspense in the plot to make this an entertaining watch. Suspicion is not a Hitchcock masterpiece but it is still very good.
