What might have been

Suspicion is probably best known as the movie with the 'cop-out' ending. Why would this be the focus of an otherwise suspenseful and charming film? Can one detail really affect the quality of a film? I say yes. It is the difference between a good movie and a truly great one.

The movie had all the ingredients needed for greatness. It was the first collaboration of two masters: Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant. The script was both dark and funny at times. The plot was about a woman (Joan Fontaine) who suspects her husband (Grant) is trying to kill her.

In the original story, he does kill her, by giving her a glass of poisoned milk. She allows herself to be poisoned, because she still loves him, and can't live with the thought of him being a killer. However, she can't allow him to get away with it, so she writes a letter, explaining everything. Then he goes out to mail the letter, unaware that it seals his own fate. This ending is wonderfully ironic. The Hollywood version turns Cary Grant into a hero. All of Joan Fontaine's suspicions turn out to be false. The last shot is of them riding to a new future together.


There is some confusion as to who decided to change the ending in the movie. Some say it was the producers, who felt audiences wouldn't want to see Cary Grant as a murderer. Others say Cary Grant himself was hesitant to play such a role.


If this were any other movie, an ending like this would be satisfying. but, it doesn't work as a Hitchcock film. I've come to expect two things from Hitchcock's suspense films. One, the question raised by the film isn't 'who?'. We know who. the questions are ' will they get away with it?' and 'how much harm will they do before they're caught?' Until the end of the movie, everything pointed to Cary Grant being a murderer. Changing this established premise at the very end of the film is disappointing. It gives you the feeling that the movie isn't playing fair with the audience. If there were some earlier hints that Cary Grant was really a good guy, it would be easier to believe his about face at the end.

The other thing that makes most Hitchcock films great is the ability they have to make you identify with the main character. In Suspicion, the character you should identify with is Joan Fontaine. You feel yourself trapped, along with her. Every smile on Cary Grant's face seems more menacing because SHE finds menace in them. You can even understand how a person would be willing to die, rather than live with the knowledge that the one you love is an evil person. However, this movie leaves Joan Fontaine looking foolish. As a result, it leaves you feeling foolish, because, in a way, you are her.

I wish there was an option to recommend a movie with reservations. I've yet to see any Hitchcock movie that I would classify as bad. This movie has much going for it. Cary Grant was extremely chilling. His usual charming persona took on a darker shade. this was only with the most subtle of changes from him. Joan Fontaine accurately displayed feelings of paranoia. And through it all, Hitchcock drew you into a claustrophobic world. It is one of the examples of why he is The Master of Suspense.

When you learn to expect the very best from a director anything less will feel somewhat dissapointing. Although Suspicion is a fine film, it could have been better.