Review of Vertigo (1958) by Matt G — 04 Jun 2012

This movie feels like it stumbles into being one of the greatest films ever made. So much so, in fact, that it's pretty intimidating. How did they do this? How did they follow the relatively simple idea in the opening scene of the film to the depths of existentialist, tragic love that it ends on? Unbelievable.

So thematically rich and emotional, and mysterious and eerie. It casts a spell on you and suddenly, you're being seduced along with Jimmy Stewart. Hitchcock's, once again, brilliant use of perspective and pacing reinforces the persuasiveness of this created illusion.

Chris Marker was 100% right about this story -- rarely has an American film of any era been so full of ideas and still feel so fully realized.