Review of Vertigo (1958) by Casey O — 01 Jun 2012

Vertigo is an Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, and one of the greatest and most important films in the history of cinema. This film bends the mind with its images and story, and makes the audience truly think as we must in all Hitchcock films, but this film really teases the mind and makes us ask questions.

It was initially not well received when it first released, and I honestly cannot imagine why. Many incredible films were not well received by critics when they are first released but grow to be loved over time, such as Psycho, Fight Club, and The Shining.

But every image in this film is just pure beauty and somehow I am able to see the genius behind the scenes and able to see Hitchcock's great mind playing its tricks on us. We see Scottie Ferguson slowly grow more and more in insane into his own love for this woman, but the woman is not as she appears, and a film that seems like a mystery soon turns into a mind bending thriller that at the very end leaves the audience with their jaws open and their mind still asking questions.

The cast here is also incredible, James Stewart plays his best role of his career (besides his performance in It's A Wonderful Life) and he is the first actor I think of when I think of a Hitchcock film.

Kim Novak's performance is genius in some way, I cannot put my finger on it but somehow her character is just as mysterious as she is. Vertigo is one of the greatest films ever in cinema, and that is not something many movies can say.

It's thrilling, frightening, and most of all the film is beautiful. This was the beginning and inspiration for many future mind twisting films, but no matter how many thrilling mystery films they make, it will be hard to live up to this incredible example of great film making, made by one of the best directors of all time.