In Hitchcock's "Torn Curtain," Newman plays an American nuclear scientist who pretends to defect to East Germany, so that he can trick a scientist into revealing a missile formula
His bewildered, abandoned fiancée (Julie Andrews) follows to see what he's up to Not wishing to involve her, he lets her think he's a traitor, but when her confusion jeopardizes his position, he tells her the truth Overjoyed, she helps him, and they end up in a series of chases and escapes
Newman does come across as unemotional, or at least not very warm; in fact, critics complained that he was too intense and gloomy in a part that they thought required humor But coldness and seriousness are actually essential to the character and to Hitchcock's conception
Initially, we are supposed to share Andrews' alienation from him Later, when we learn that he's not a traitor, we may want to view him differently, but immediately afterward he commits a gruesome killing, of a most likable villain, which again distances us from him From that point, even though he's apparently the "hero," his actions are never purely motivated His attitude toward Andrews is indicative: by following him, she endangers herself, which concerns him slightly, but she also endangers the mission, which is what really troubles him
Hitchcock, therefore, is portraying an anti-heronot a glamorous spy, patriotically following his country's orders, or an innocent, sympathetic victim (Cary Grant in "North by Northwest"), but a man on his own, deliberately pursuing a selfish goal (the formula might get him back his job).
Newman is therefore well-cast: his indifferent rejection of the woman, his ruthlessness, his willingness to endanger lives and engender chaos, are familiar aspects of the Newman image Here, since there isn't the balance of charm, humor or self-realization, he is non-involving The "neutral" emotion may serve Hitchcock's plan, but it leaves the audience out in the cold
His bewildered, abandoned fiancée (Julie Andrews) follows to see what he's up to Not wishing to involve her, he lets her think he's a traitor, but when her confusion jeopardizes his position, he tells her the truth Overjoyed, she helps him, and they end up in a series of chases and escapes
Newman does come across as unemotional, or at least not very warm; in fact, critics complained that he was too intense and gloomy in a part that they thought required humor But coldness and seriousness are actually essential to the character and to Hitchcock's conception
Initially, we are supposed to share Andrews' alienation from him Later, when we learn that he's not a traitor, we may want to view him differently, but immediately afterward he commits a gruesome killing, of a most likable villain, which again distances us from him From that point, even though he's apparently the "hero," his actions are never purely motivated His attitude toward Andrews is indicative: by following him, she endangers herself, which concerns him slightly, but she also endangers the mission, which is what really troubles him
Hitchcock, therefore, is portraying an anti-heronot a glamorous spy, patriotically following his country's orders, or an innocent, sympathetic victim (Cary Grant in "North by Northwest"), but a man on his own, deliberately pursuing a selfish goal (the formula might get him back his job).
Newman is therefore well-cast: his indifferent rejection of the woman, his ruthlessness, his willingness to endanger lives and engender chaos, are familiar aspects of the Newman image Here, since there isn't the balance of charm, humor or self-realization, he is non-involving The "neutral" emotion may serve Hitchcock's plan, but it leaves the audience out in the cold