That was an excellent one.

Let's be realistic.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

To say that this is an Alfred Hitchcock movie made by Mark Robson is not a put down, it's just a fact of life. Look at the framing and you'll know immediately that we're not in Hitchcockian territory. But the the Hitchcockian ingredients are there even if not mixed or cooked at the wrong temperature, or something. Paul Newman, absolutely gorgeous and funnily enough he'll make a spy film with Hitchcock set in Sweden during the Nobels. Elke Sommer is like an imitation Hitchkcock ice blonde made in Germany. Diane Baker was the brunette in Hitchcock's Marnie and she's a real delight. Edward G Robinson, of course, always a pleasure but then Mr Robson casts Micheline Presle, Micheline Presle from "Devil And The Flesh" and ignores her. She is framed as if Robson didn't know who she was. Another unforgivable bit of business, Sergio Fantoni's Italian mamma. What was he thinking. All that aside. It's entertaining and Paul Newman can take me anywhere, anytime.

If you're in the mood for a little sophisticated humour leavened with just enough suspense to keep it interesting, then "The Prize" is for you. Set in Stockholm, Sweden at Nobel Prize Ceremony time, the story revolves around the lives, battles and petty jealousies of a disparate group of winners with only one of them seeming to have any sense-of-the-occasion. Grand soap opera at its most ridiculous, the film focuses on Paul Newman's Andrew Craig, a somewhat tipsy author of serious novels suffering from acute, 'serious writer's' block syndrome. But never one to let such a trivial annoyance get in the way, Craig keeps hearth and home together (along no doubt with a fancy liquor cabinet stocked with a favourite single malt) by punching out cheap detective stories for the masses under a pseudo name. He doesn't make his crime yarns sound much like high art, but then again neither is this movie. What both are, however (especially if you've ever read Dashiel Hammett, Jim Thompson or Raymond Chandler) are amazingly entertaining.At times re-tilling famous Hitchcock ground, "The Prize" is a thoroughly enjoyable soufflé with a delightful cast that includes (a little under-used) Edward G. Robinson, Elke Sommer, Diane Baker, Kevin McCarthy and the always solid, sturdy Leo G. Carroll. As directed by Mark Robson, the introductions and subsequent interplay of many of the film's characters is quite reminiscent of the approach Robson also took in his sumptuous 1957 soap opera "Peyton Place." And Robson wasn't the only one stealing from himself.Ernest Lehman (who also wrote the screenplay for Hitchcock's wildly successful "North by Northwest") shamelessly borrows more than once from that highly successful opus, but that's okay. His retreads also work very well in "The Prize" too thank you very much.Finally, other assets to this pleasant romp include Jerry Goldsmith's sometimes understated score coupled with some glorious cinematography that deftly captures the film's various locations.So again, if you're looking for sophisticated fare with a gentle thriller twist, don't pass up on this one. You can't take a single frame of it seriously, but then again, you're not intended to. Just sit back, be patient, relax and enjoy!! It really is worthy of its 8 out of 10.

Yes, perhaps Paul Newman and Elke Sommer are a beautiful couple and Edward G. Robinson is not going to let you down. But is there any director behind the camera? Movies like these show you where was Hollywood standing at the beginning of the 60's. I suppose some people will enjoy it and they're entitled to it. But in my case I had to make a strong effort not to fall asleep, specially the first 60 minutes. Incidentally, was the cold war going on as strong as ever? On the other hand, Nobel Prizes are ridiculous but not that ridiculous! Kevin Mc Carthy and Sergio Fantoni are slightly bananas when fighting as competitors and Ms. Presle, well, can she be a scientist? By the way, Ms. Presle is really sexy despite her age and quite more attractive that Ms. Varsi, the toothless of the world. Pity to see old timers like Anna Lee in meaningless roles but actors have to eat. abel posadas

Paul Newman and Edward G. Robinson struck me as a curious combination, so I chose to watch "The Prize" not having any idea what it was about.This story about a number recipients in Stockholm about to receive their Nobel Prize, will show how their lives are intertwined in the days prior to the annual event. It is a mystery story that I almost gave up on after a handful of minutes -- my own fault for being impatient. A flower takes time to blossom, and so does a movie that is over 40 years old. But I am glad I didn't switch it off.The intrigue does start to capture after a while and the insights the viewer is granted are satisfying, while our hero is denied these sensations as no one believes him. The 21st century participant of this drama may find parts predictable, but it is very enjoyable, even if a little dated.Paul Newman gives everything you would expect. And you could say the same for Elke Sommer, since I wouldn't expect anyone to describe her as a terrific actor -- good performance for her, and she always wonderful to look at. I would have enjoyed more screen time by Edward G. Robinson in this role that had him more timid than I am accustomed to.I recommend this movie to everyone that enjoys these actors, although one viewing is probably enough.