To Catch a Thief

Fabulous film and deservedly called a classic. Beautiful vistas with a talented cast delivering a sparkling script and all directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

While a 26-year-old Grace Kelly chasing a 51-year-old (though admittedly suave and handsome) Cary Grant may make a 21st century viewer cringe - _to say nothing of Brigitte Auber's late-teens character, Danielle (even though Auber was 27 at the time!), doing the same_ - this film is a joy to watch.

"I know you ought to be spanked with a hairbrush and sent back to school - public school - where they could pound some sense into you during recess."

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant directed by Alfred Hitchcock can only mean one thing, you're getting a damn entertaining movie and that is what To Catch a Thief is. It isn't anywhere near Hitchcock's best work but it is solid. You get a fun story in the French Rivera, you get some great shots, you get the beautiful Grace Kelly, you get the presence of Cary Grant, you get poker chips being dropped in naughty places, you get rooftops chases, you get a car chase, you get some swimming and a bit of mystery and a very obvious Hitchcock cameo. Even on a rewatch this movie is just mid Hitchock. But mid Hitchcock is still great.

“To Catch a Thief” has a few elements that are typical of an Alfred Hitchcock film, but it lacks some of the tension that is usually so present in his work. Instead, it is a light-hearted summer film with beautiful locations, two convincing leads (Cary Grant and Grace Kelly), and strong cinematography. Overall, “To Catch a Thief” feels very modern and more timeless than many other Hitchcock films. It is definitely entertaining, but you have to accept that it doesn’t have too much depth.

Light-hearted, witty, exciting but not too over the top

image 4/5 and sound 3.5/5. Beautiful landscapes for friendly story with a beautiful Grace Kelly

The master of suspense repeats his magic formula.

It's fine but not top tier Hitchcock.