Family Plot
剧情
Family Plot is a 1976 American comedy thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, his penultimate film before his retirement. The movie follows the story of spiritualist Blanche Tyler (Barbara Harris) and her cab-driving boyfriend, Ephraim Winslow (Bruce Dern), as they embark on a journey to find a missing heir in California. The film begins with Blanche, a fortune teller who claims to have psychic abilities, using her supposed powers to help people solve their problems. Her partner, Ephraim, is a gruff but lovable cabbie who often finds himself entangled in his girlfriend's get-rich-quick schemes. When they receive a letter from an unknown sender claiming that Blanche has inherited a large sum of money from a distant relative, they set out to claim their supposed inheritance. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they discover that the missing heir is actually a young woman named Julia Ross (Karen Black), who has been kidnapped by a pair of serial kidnappers, Arthur and Harriet Myers (William Devane and Katherine Helmond). The couple's motives are revealed as they use Julia as leverage to extort money from her wealthy family. As Blanche and Ephraim work to uncover the truth behind Julia's disappearance, they find themselves entangled in a complex web of deception and manipulation. Along the way, they encounter a cast of suspicious characters, including a shady lawyer, a corrupt detective, and a mysterious stranger who may or may not be involved in the kidnapping. Throughout the film, Hitchcock uses his signature style to build tension and suspense, often using clever camera angles and misdirection to keep the audience guessing. The film's climax features a thrilling sequence of events that brings together all the threads of the story and provides a satisfying conclusion to the mystery. Despite its relatively light tone and comedic elements, Family Plot is a sophisticated and engaging thriller that showcases Hitchcock's mastery of his craft. With strong performances from its cast, particularly Barbara Harris and Bruce Dern, the film is a delightful addition to any fan of classic cinema.