Charade

Charade (1963)
[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056923/]

The Gist:
Okay, let's side step the fact that Cary Grant looks really old in this film (sorry Cary), and focus on the excellent writing and odd tonality of the whole thing, particularly anchored in what is possibly the best Audrey Hepburn performance I have ever seen. The director takes the writing, takes what could be sort of zany and madcap and instead subdues all these moments creating a more stark absurdist humor. This is evident in all the performances, but none more than Hepburn who comes off a little crazy and is all the more fascinating for it. The way most would engage in the dialogue is in a carefree, nonchalant, rattle off the top of the head delivery that screwball comedies tend to go for. However, Hepburn uses the dialogue as a means to entice, to enliven, almost to attack. Her character seems moody and cynical in the opening moments of the film, which soon gives way to an obsession with a new love in Cary Grant. The love isn't logical because Hepburn's character isn't logical, and with that we are finally given a good reason for Hollywood's tendency to make characters fall in love within a few days of knowing someone. In terms of plot, the film plays out the way you think it would, with a plot twist you can see coming a mile away. But it's sort of inconsequential at that point.