| Vertigo is one of the most finely crafted, hypnotic, original, romantic, thrilling films ever created let alone restored. This is definitely Hitchcock�s masterpiece. The script is one of the most finely tuned, thought out, ingenious stories ever written. If you would assume this is one of my very favorite films, you�ve thought right. In it�s day, it wasn�t seen as spectacular as it is now. This became a classic, just like Kane, and 2001, after a couple years of it�s release. There is no doubt the film is strange. Which one of Hitchcock�s films isn�t? But the strangeness of it is what gives it its life, and its hypnotic feel. It�s slow moments (which most of the people I know think they ruin the film) give the viewer time to think, and ponder what is going on. I think it�s slow pace makes the film what it is, and the film definitely wouldn�t be a classic without it. Vertigo is about a single man, Johnny O�, (Jimmy Stewart)who is hired to keep an eye on his friend�s wife, Madeline (Kim Novak). Her husband thinks that her great grandmother has taken over his wife�s body. He wants to know where she goes and what she does during the day. As Stewart follows her, he accidentally shows himself to her, and they meet. He eventually falls in love with her, and forgets about his duty to watch over her. However, within their romance, Johnny does begin to think, as Madeline�s husband does, that someone has taken possession over Madeline�s body. There are so many twists that happen within the film that is hard to keep track. I will not reveal any of them, because it might ruin the films somewhat for you. The revealing of the twists that happen could hardly totally ruin the film for anyone though. They would still have the pleasure of watching the master of suspense at the top of his game (although Hitchcock probably didn�t make one bad, or even mediocre film, Vertigo is hailed by most critics as Hitchcock�s best). Not only would they have Hitchcock�s direction to watch, but also the absolutely fabulous performance by Stewart, who makes us believe he is foolishly in love, and confused at the same time. Very few actors could carry a film with such slow pauses with the vigor that Stewart did. When his �strange behavior� kicks in, after an emotional shock, we see Stewart stare out into space for a time, and watching his face closely, you would think that Stewart really is suffering with a great emotional shock in his life. Kim Novak�s performance is flawless also, and the chemistry between Novak and Stewart is hardly equaled by any two actors today, or even in the old days of film! The score by Bernard Herman is suspenseful, romantic, and exciting exactly when it needs to be. Herman�s score goes right up there with some of John Barry�s, James Horner�s, Hans Zimmer�s, Alan Menkin�s, and of course, John William�s. The restoration of the 1958 film only adds to it�s brilliance. The colors are bright, and beautiful, but don�t look out of place in the original black and white movie. The only flaw in this film is that it has to come to an end (not that the ending is bad in any way, but it was too good to end). If you totally understand the plot, and can identify with the characters then there is no reason you shouldn�t be riveted by this film. What else can I say, but if you have a chance to see this, don�t miss it! And if you have a second opportunity, then watch it again! The experience only deepens by a second viewing. |
| Vertigo |
| ****stars |
| United States, 1958 Restoration Re-Release: Fall 1996 Running Length: 2:08 MPAA Classification: PG (Mature themes) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore Director: Alfred Hitchcock Producer: Alfred Hitchcock Restoration Producers: Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz Screenplay: Samuel Taylor and Alec Coppel based on the novel D'Entre les Morts by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac Cinematography: Robert Burks Music: Bernard Herrmann U.S. Distributor: Universal Pictures (original: Paramount Pictures) |