Vertigo

a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock

review written by jack floobles

January 13, 2010

Alfred Hitchcock was one of the greatest directors that ever lived. I would argue the man never made a boring movie. Nay, I go further, he never filmed a boring scene. Vertigo, a thriller starring James Stewart and Kim Novak, wasn't successful at the box office; critics panned the movie, claiming it was too long. However, looking back, many have changed their minds. And take it from me, Vertigo might be Hitchcock's greatest film.

Jimmy Stewart plays Detective John "Scottie" Ferguson. He develops severe acrophobia after seeing a fellow police officer fall to his death during a chase. Ever since, Scottie can't even stand on a step stool without suffering vertigo. His head spins. Everything starts shaking. And if he isn't helped, he'll fall. The incident forces Scottie into early retirement, until a college acquaintance named Gavin Elster (played by Tom Helmore) comes seeking his help. It seems Gavin's wife, Madeleine Elster (played by Kim Novak), has this kooky behavior; she visits a gravestone every day; she visits the same art museum and stares at the same painting every day; Gavin is convinced his wife is the reincarnation of Carlotta Valdes (the woman from the painting who suffered a tragic death by suicide).

Gavin has Scottie follow his wife, observe her every behavior. It isn't long before his wife plunges into the San Francisco Bay, leaving Scottie to save her from drowning. Inevitably, Scottie falls in love with Madeleine. He can't help himself. She's played by Kim Novak after all. She's gorgeous, and because of her strange behavior, Scottie can't help but want to save her, keep her for himself. One night, after Madeleine recounts the details of a bad dream to Scottie, Scottie is able to identify the setting of the dream. He takes her to Mission San Juan Bautista, where there is a church. While at the mission, Madeleine suddenly runs up the stairs of the church. Scottie chases after her, but due to his agoraphobia, he is unable to keep up with her, and before he can catch her, he looks out a window in the church just in time to see Madeleine plunge to her death.

But that is only the beginning...the movie only gets better from there. Scottie finds a woman, named Judy Barton, who oddly resembles Madeleine. She looks absolutely identical (she should, for she is also played by Kim Novak). Except for dark hair and different dress, she's the spitting image of his deceased love. Scottie courts the woman, falls for her. But his love takes a sickly turn. He forces Judy to dye her hair the same color as Madeleine's, dress the same way. Look and act the same way. When you stop and think about it, you realize what's happening. It's necrophilia. Scottie is in love with a dead woman, and he will do anything to have her.

The movie doesn't stop twisting and turning after that. It's perfect from start to finish. Jimmy Stewart was, in my opinion, Hitchcock's best leading man. Stewart perfectly played the vulnerable man, while he also could play dark, angry, bitter. These are the quintessential characteristics of a Hitchcockian hero. Stewart's role as "Scottie" Ferguson might be his best.

the following actors/directors were tagged in this review: