The Lodger follows a young man looking to stay in a room that is being rented out by a working class family in London. The man is mysterious and has a lot in common with a killer who has murdered several young blonde women recently around the city. The mysterious lodger strikes up a seemingly innocent relationship with Daisy, the blonde daughter of the family. This relationship and the mystery of whether or not the lodger is the sought after murderer create most of the drama and suspense in the film.
I'm a very big fan of Alfred Hitchcock's work so to watch what is considered to be the first true Hitchcock film was always going to be fun for me. Hitchcock's earlier films don't always do it for me but The Lodger kept me interested and entertained the most of the way through. What I think is most notable about this silent-era film from Hitchcock is the fact that a number of Hitchcockian themes are already set into place. There is the familiar blonde leading lady, the threat of the police, and the wrong man scenario (although it isn't quite fully developed). Fetishism and perversion make several appearances; a quick but noticeable gaze at Daisy's form by the lodger, handcuffs that are played with by a young couple, and a bath scene in which the lodger comes very close to walking in on Daisy at an inopportune moment. There is also a clear influence of German Expressionism, with it's interesting use of shadows and lighting. There are also several fun camera tricks including an invisible ceiling and a small flashback that is shown in a puddle that a police officer is solemnly looking into.
The Lodger is an interesting look into the mind of the young Hitchcock and makes for a good viewing experience if you're ready to take on an old silent. The acting is great, especially from Ivor Novello who plays the lodger, the suspense works and there is rarely a dull moment. Overall I'd rate this movie highly if you're a Hitchcock fan but I would not recommend it as a starting point for someone interested in getting to know the master of suspense.
My Rating: 7.5/10
