I really don't like things that are overrated. What's so special about this film? Not one of the characters is likeable. Not one. Also I failed to detect the mystery in this movie. Where's the mystery? Everything was obvious and the dialogue that led to the unveiling was not compelling at all.
I find it pretentious to say that this movie is Hitchcock's best. Just watch Vertigo and you'll see the difference.
Yup, I was disappointed too. I didn't find it suspenseful at all. Vertigo is next on my list so fingers crossed
So there you are. Stark raving sane.
[deleted]
As with Dial M For Murder (another Hitch film set almost entirely in a single apartment) I think it's good if not great. It's not a "mystery", it's a suspense film - when and how will the two killers be exposed? What does it matter if the characters aren't "likeable" - do people complain about The Godfather movies because the characters are all thugs?
shareThis is my favorite Hitchcock movie!
I can see why some migt not rate it so highly, but I think the OP just didn't understand it - it's not a mystery, as someone above mentioned, it's a suspense movie. And I believe the characters are somewhat likeable, Brandon has an interesting sense of humor and Phillip is pretty likeable. For a while, you seem to forget that the two main characters commited an evil murder, and it's even more horrible that the victim is one of their friends. That's what makes Hitchcock so great - he makes you sweat with suspense with the bad guys.
We plow deep while others sleep
Actually you guys are kinda right about the 'suspense' thing. I'm crazy about the mystery titles, so this movie being a part of 'mystery' genre kinda threw me off. It messed up my expectations.
shareAnother special aspect of this movie is that it was filmed with one shot. That's groundbreaking stuff.
_______
Stripping under the name Malcolm Sex, I pleased the ladies by any means necessary.
It was not actually done in one shot but it had been done in a series of long takes with trickery used to make it out as one shot.
Its that man again!!
It's all subjective. Personally I do think it's Hitchcock's best. It's not really a mystery film, but as others have said, it's suspense, and there's a lot of it. Not to mention, the dialog is fascinating, and even if the characters aren't likable in the traditional sense, they are very interesting.
shareVERTIGO is my favorite by him. But, imo, this is probably his "best". so groundbreaking and still, 65 years later, really interesting to watch.
-
Shuji Terayama forever.
[deleted]
I would say that Hitchcock didn't deal in mystery in his films. To me, his films are about how a situation gets resolved. But I agree with you that 'Rope' is far from Hitchcock's best. I am always surprised to see how highly it is rated. But we all have our own personal tastes. The characters are dislikeable as you say. Although I am amused by the aunt who discusses everybody using their astrology birth sign as her guide to their character.
shareWhile Vertigo is an excellent film in many ways, I strongly believe Rope is the better overall film. Why would you go into a film looking for a likable character anyway? I hate the typical crowd pleaser flicks, I've seen too many thousands of them it seems. I would rather characters be interesting and well performed. Likable makes no real difference in whether a film is good or not. Eraserhead is a grand example of that. It's obviously a great film in many ways, but likable it really isn't, the film is repulsive on purpose, as is a film like Polanski's Repulsion come to think of it. How you didn't see this film as compelling is beyond me. It certainly has more compelling depth than Vertigo in my view, but of course everyone relates to everything in their own way and sees things differently to some degree.
My body's a cage, it's been used and abused...and I...LIKE IT!! [Evil2]