Though I remembered just how formal and serious Alfred Hitchcock in his TV series when I was a kid, I hardly watch any of his films. Somehow I picked Vertigo (1958) just because the movie was quite popular among the movie lovers. The movie was actually based on a 1954 novel and have quite established visual effects (dolly zoom) that people later called it Vertigo effect. The story exploits an extreme fear of heights called acrophobia suffered by Scottie (James Stewart).
After I watched Lolita earlier this year, I discovered just how limited the room to be total in other genres aside romance and drama back in the 1950s. Therefore maybe some directors back then just have to add a bit of romance. And, also because lack of technology and knowledge, the visual language can’t quite translate the thrill/horror thoroughly. But knowing that this movie actually from a novel saved that impression. Imagine if Vertigo being adapted today and directed by David Fincher, I’d watch that.
Even so, I admire how Hitchcock and the team illustrated some hallucination visual for Scottie, knowing they probably have did all they can to make such images. I loved the visual transitions as well. Except some matte painting combination that made me wonder previously, but I still appreciate the effort.
“Only one is a wanderer; two together are always going somewhere.”
As for the story, the plot and twist was interesting and I could never have guessed it. Kim Novak was a chameleon as Madeleine and Judy. But she was very hauntingly mesmerizing as Madeleine, I can’t imagine if a guy wouldn’t fall for her looks. She also wore fashionable classy lady dresses enough to make her should be in the magazine cover.
The thing that failed to impress me was Scottie and Madeleine’s falling in love process was lacking emotion and interlude before their dramatic kisses, I didn’t buy their feelings for each other. Not until Scottie meets Judy, I can see the deep emotions they have for each other. I also felt annoyed with the ending, it was just too fast and felt like a shortcut to have the movie ended quickly.
So even though I loved the drama and thrill, some things have bugged me. Excellent psychological thriller, with a bit of minors. I didn’t feel like wasting 2 hours (except maybe for the ending only) But I think I won’t mind watching another thriller by Alfred Hitchcock after this.
Score :
