"Vertigo" makes viewer's head spin

Movie Review #5: Vertigo, 1958

Since it's nearing my favorite holiday, Halloween, I thought we should take time out to include a Hitchcock favorite! Although I had viewed this movie before, it had been a while, and I have to say that it was a real pleasure to watch!

The mastery of Hitchcock is in the way in which he is able to pull you in, and before you even realize it, you are just as hooked as the main character! All along, you think the movie is about the mental state of Madeline, played by Kim Novak, the woman who is supposedly possessed by the spirit of her dead lovelorn grandmother, but that's where he gets you.

The genius of it is that the movie takes you on a journey through the mind...the mind of Scotty, the retired detective played by Jimmy Stuart, who goes through dealing with a post-traumatic stress situation where he is afraid of heights. At the same time he has to deal with being newly retired and useless, all while becoming obsessed...or shall we say possessed...with a beautifully tragic and otherworldly woman. He starts to lose himself in Madeline's story, and by the end of the story, he's the one that doesn't know what's real and what's not.

The vertigo or dizziness in the movie represents Scotty's life that is spinning out-of-control, and his inability to deal with it. The parts that tricks the viewers is that you don't realize that the main character is unstable until near the end, because you've been focusing on Madeline's craziness. Not until he sees the necklace do you see him come back, but by that time he snaps, and all the anger and frustration that he's been holding back comes pouring out...all onto Madeline.

For me, the psychological thriller has always been my favorite type of Halloween movie. And, I recommend this as one that should be included! This makes it to number 9 on the 100 Years 100 Movies list, and takes the top spot of all the Hitchcock thrillers.