Charade (1963)

Charade

Charade (1963) — directed by Stanley Donen, starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant — is a beguiling blend of comedy, mystery and romance set against the glamour of Paris. When Regina Lampert returns from a ski holiday to find her husband murdered and their apartment stripped bare, she is soon confronted by shadowy claims that he and several former partners stole a fortune in wartime gold. With the CIA, the French police and three dangerous men all convinced she knows where the money is, Regina must navigate lies, double-crosses and hidden identities—while a charming stranger, Peter Joshua, offers help that may or may not be trustworthy. Viewers can expect a brisk, suspenseful whodunit full of witty banter, romantic sparks and constant twists: every conversation and character is a potential deception. The film pairs Hepburn’s elegant, stylish presence (in Givenchy gowns) with Grant’s suave, playful charisma, buoyed by Henry Mancini’s lush, suspenseful score and a polished, cinematic Parisian atmosphere. Tension and comedy alternate seamlessly, and the plot steadily tightens to a clever, satisfying reveal. If you watch Charade you’ll get equal parts laughs, romantic chemistry and edge-of-your-seat mystery—stylish, fun, and surprising to the end. It’s often called “the best Hitchcock film he never made” for good reason: a classic, gorgeously made caper that keeps you guessing while delighting you with charm.

Actors: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau

Director: Stanley Donen

Runtime: 113 min

Genres: Comedy, Mystery, Romance

Filmaffinity Rating 7.7 /10 Metacritic Rating 83 /100 IMDB Rating 7.8 /10 Bmoat Rating 7.9 /10