MovieChat Forums > The Suspect (1945) Discussion > If you've seen the film, a speculative q...

If you've seen the film, a speculative question...

posted 9 years ago by FilmAlicia
5 replies | jump to latest

I just saw "The Suspect" for the first time at the Noir City film festival.

It struck me that an element of Philip Marshall's decision at the end of the film to give himself up to protect his neighbor from a false murder charge was the realization that his young wife belonged with a younger man, such as his son. That's part of what I read into his decision to turn himself in. I felt that he knew, on some level, that his happiness with his new wife was destined to be short-lived. It made the ending all the more poignant.

Since the question is spoilery, don't read on if you haven't seen the film.

[–] raphael65 8 years ago

I must say that I cannot agree on this point. I think that, in spite of the age difference and the fact that Philip was homely to say the least (he can obviously not be distanced from Charles Laughton, who, though immensely talented, was FAR from good-looking), he and Mary had become soulmates. From the beginning, he had shown great empathy for Mrs. Simmons, and since he was an essentially decent man (which the inspector realized), who had been driven to the brink and over it, he simply would never have been able to live with himself if his former neighbour had been hanged for a crime (or service?) that he had committed. Besides, although Mary would only have been a few years older than Philip's son, the dynamics were that of an actual mother and son: she expressed her concern about him dating the ditzy Sybil, and he even jokingly called her Mama! That being said, she would most likely have outlived Philip, but I really believe that for this fictional couple age was truly "just a number."

[–] thetaylors604 8 years ago

No, I think Mary and Philip truly loved each other. Age and physical appearance didn't matter.

What I wish had been added to the movie was the moment when John and Mary realize he is no longer on board. There wasn't time to write a note of explanation as the ship was about to sail. I can picture them frantically searching....and Mary wondering if he had deserted her.

[–] atucci-1 8 years ago

Is there a legit DVD of The Suspect?

[–] thetaylors604 8 years ago

Apparently not. I checked on amazon and the only movies with that title aren't this one. Try ioffer.com or eBay.

[–] m_antonioni 7 years ago

There's a PAL DVD (for European TVs).

I would have liked the film better if he hadn't fallen for the trick at the end, but I guess the ending I would have liked would not have been acceptable when the film was made.