Review of Vertigo (1958) by Sabra E — 19 Oct 2011
It's no secret that Hitchcock as a man was prone to seeing women as passive novelties, coy seductresses, and duplicitous canvases for the latest red lipstick and blond up-do. But Vertigo takes the cake for representing Hitchcock in the prime of his "women are terrible people" mindset. Who, in his mind, did him so wrong to make him torture Kim Novak's character so relentlessly before releasing her?
To be fair, James Stewart was extra creepy as an obsessed nutso pining over a woman who was hardly his to begin with, representing men at their worst, as well. Vertigo, in fact, could be summed up as just that--people at their worst, being driven to insane acts. For love? For money? Beauty justifying self-worth?
In Hitchcock's case, the dark muse from which he became inspired must've scarred his ego. The themes of chasing, deceit, infidelity and obsession in Vertigo have a connect-the-dots feel, a realness. Overall, the meandering storyline was strung out long enough to inspire anyone's patience into a dark place. And it is well known, Hitchcock claimed this was his most personal film.
This review of Vertigo (1958) was written by Sabra E on 19 Oct 2011.
Vertigo has generally received very positive reviews.
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