Review of Gaslight (1944) by Keith D — 07 Feb 2008

This is truly phenomenal. Imagine a man, so haunted by a former obsession, that he marries an innocent and troubled younger woman to reclaim his former glory. Innocent Paula Alquist, played brilliantly by Ingrid Bergman, fallls for Gregory Anton, who sweeps her off of her feet and away from her tragic past and the murder of her famous aunt. Gregory seems like a true charmer, until he does something truly despicable, moves poor Paula into the house she used to share with her aunt, the exact same house in which she was murdered.

Paula, visibly shaken by the possibility of reliving her aunt's murder everyday, acquiesces to Gregory's wishes, and they return to the scene of the crime. A busybody old lady is there to greet them, fascinated by Paula's return, and hell-bent on getting a peek inside the infamous residence. I loved her light comic relief, as it eased the tension, while increasing the mystery of the house.

Soon, Paula is seemingly losing her mind. She's losing things, misplacing things, and hearing strange noises. Gregory, still acting the part of doting husband, reassures her that she is not well, and soon it is revealed that he is plotting to keep her inside the house, and delude her into thinking that she is mentally ill. He hires a housekeeper, portrayed with a bone-chilling resonance by a young Angela Landsbury to keep her inside.

The gaslight keeps lowering night after night, and Paula becomes increasingly removed from reality. Is her aunt truly haunting the property? Is she really going insane, or is her husband gaslighting her by casting a dark shadow over her mind. This 64 year old film is still edge of your seat entertainment, and cannot be missed!