Vertigo (1958)

Vertigo (1958)

6/10

                                 

Starring

James Stewart
Kim Novak
Barbara Bel Geddes

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Vertigo is a mystery film from the late 50s that has a way of luring you in till you become hooked to see how it is all going to turn out.

I love the nice twist in the ending that makes you know that all you are watching is just a setup, a write elaborate setup I must say. Now, that is if you have not read the book prior to watching this.

Although many classics have been made, Vertigo has received many praises which I believe it does not deserve. Viewers may be bored by the lengthy drama, as the movie has pacing issues, but if you are the kind that loves to see how it is going to turn out, then Vertigo is a movie for you.

The film stars James Stewart (It's A Wonderful Life) as former police detective John "Scottie" Ferguson, who had to retire due to disabilities (vertigo and clinical depression) incurred when a police colleague died trying to save him.

Scottie gets a call from an old friend who hires him as a private investigator to follow his wife, Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak), who is behaving strangely.

Scottie begins the job, which led to him falling in love and becoming obsessed with his work.

The screenplay is an adaptation of the French novel The Living and the Dead (D'entre les morts) by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac.

Although Vertigo is fun to watch, I felt some of the camera angles were weird, the use of the zoom to play out the vertigo feeling is to be praised though.

Acting wise, the movie does its best in this regard, it is well cast, and I felt the actors did the best they can, which is why many (not me) rates it high up there. Other issues I had with the movie, were the plot holes: Scottie’s obsession for instance, it is key to the plot, but it happened so fast and feels forced than natural. Also, in the end Scottie was able to overcome his vertigo just at the right time, we see the struggle, but he seems to be able to push through, very highly unlikely.

Well, in the end, this movie is not bad to watch, maybe not a classic as many say, but if you are ready to sit 2 hours for a movie to thrill ya, then Vertigo is it. If not, try something else.