Day 4 of my Halloween film fest. This Hitchcock masterpiece premiered in theater's on the 9th of May, 1958. Like "Rope," James Stewart gives another stellar and haunted performance, this time playing retired police detective, John "Scottie" Ferguson. After chasing a thief on the rooftops of San Francisco, John stumbles and his partner goes to save him and falls to his death. At this point, John realizes that he has a fear of heights, "Vertigo." After recovering from his injuries, John is shooting the breeze with his best friend, Midge Wood, played brilliantly by Barbara Bel Geddes. John is asked by a former college mate, Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore) to follow his wife around to find out what is happening to her. Gavin is afraid that his wife is being haunted by the past and is suicidal. The role of Gavin's wife is played brilliantly by the incredible Kim Novak. The story goes on from here and I won't spoil it for you.
What we have in this masterpiece, is a mystery/suspense thriller of the ages. Hitchcock so brilliantly plays the audience little by little in the background until you don't know what to think. Then when the true story reveals itself you're left shocked and appalled at what has taken place. Vintage Hitchcock. This film premiered just two years prior to "Psycho," and like "Rope," it showed how the film maker was perfecting his craft up to his shining "magnum opus."
This is a slow paced drama so-to-speak, so it isn't as terrifying and action packed as some of Hitchcock's other films, but is so worth it just for the brilliant character study and look into the psyche of humans; as well as for the magnificent performances by Novak, Geddes and Stewart.
If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and watch it!
No comments:
Post a Comment