Charade (1963) Review
It takes two people, and more than one identity, to solve a mystery.
Charade is a 1963 American screwball comedy directed by Stanley Donen. You best know this man for directing movies like Singin' in the Rain (1952) and Funny Face (1957). Donen is beloved for his musical, and music is a huge character in Charade, too—no wonder the title song of the same name was nominated for an Oscar.
What can I say about Charade? It’s a definition of delight in a movie form. My favorite thing about this film is that I can watch it numerous times and still not remember every single detail for the next viewing. There are many moving parts in the story, and just like Audrey Hepburn's character, Reggie, the audience is just trying to catch up to the next new bit of information inside the criminal intricacies of her late husband’s operations. The poor girl could’ve been spared all of this if she had divorced the old man sooner. But then again, she wouldn’t have met her new love interest, who is also quite old, played by Carry Grant.
For better or worse, almost every film starring Hepburn requires an assessment of how inappropriate her love interest is for her age. In this case, the back-and-forth between Hepburn and Grant is palpable. Their chemistry is remarkably natural and believable, especially considering that Grant's character (whatever his name is) is quite resistant to the union, and Reggie visibly longs for it.
The comedy in *Charade* is incredibly sharp. The dynamic camerawork and energizing score further enhance the extremely tight script. Every scene advances the story, which is filled with complex elements. Characters assume fake identities, mistrust one another, engage in physical confrontations, and find time for romance in between. There are iconic comedic moments in Charade that rank among the best in cinema—just think of the funeral scene.
The movie maintains momentum until the very end and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Charade delivers everything you want from a 1960s screwball action romantic comedy.
Similar movies: North by Northwest (1959), To Catch a Thief (1955)
