Everyone knows Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier) is distraught over the death of his wife, Rebecca. They were the most beautiful, wealthy, accomplished couple, after all. But he remarries only a year after her accidental death to a paid companion (Joan Fontaine), no less. The new Mrs. de Winter finds it intolerable living in the shadow of her predecessor, especially with the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), constantly comparing and criticizing. Was Rebecca's death a tragic accident or is something more sinister afoot?
I remember trying to read this book in high school and giving up after the first page. I barely made it through the movie. Maxim is a total dick and the story doesn't come together until the last ten minutes, leaving the two hours before that full of nothing happening except Fontaine being relentlessly bullied.
And I know thematically why she doesn't get a name but it is super irritating in practice. Even the fucking dog got a name (Jasper, a Very Good Boy). Despite her character being a total drip, Fontaine is luminous here, matched only by Anderson being a creepy bitch. Olivier is good, as is George Sanders, but this is Fontaine's movie.
This won Best Picture in 1941 and was the only Alfred Hitchcock film to ever win. It's part of the Criterion Collection but isn't currently streaming right now. If you're into moody, atmospheric dread instead of gore, this might be for you.
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