Review of Vertigo (1958) by Matthew D — 01 Jun 2018

The greatest film Alfred Hitchcock ever made!

Vertigo is a beautiful romance film that is equally enchanting and intriguing. The master of suspense director Alfred Hitchcock proves his title with this endlessly mysterious movie. You question everything thinking there must be some explanation for the events herein. Hitchcock leads you along the sweetest and the saddest romance film ever released. We are gifted with thoughtful depictions of themes like vertigo, fear, love, loss, grief, and reformation. Follow along with the most ponderous investigation ever undertaken.

Notably, the cinematography and camera work from Hitchcock is marvelous. Every frame is fascinating and every panning shot is captivating. You see everything you need to in order to figure out the mystery and follow along with the plot. The intricate narrative is well written, but even more masterfully shot. At each scene, therein lies another beautiful sequence or deeper feeling conveyed by a revealing shot. Only a film like Persona can claim to have cinematography as nice as Vertigo.

Vertigo is a class act. You will remember the water, garden, bars, hotels, hallways, and rooms. The set decoration is as lovely as the stunning costume design. The main suit worn by Kim Novak is as iconic as any cinema look. With cinematography, score, set design, and costume design like Vertigo holds, you do not need any other movie. Vertigo is immaculately crafted by cast and crew alike.

Vertigo makes you figure out a mystery alongside its hero, while you are dazzled by the lovely score from master cinema composer Bernard Herrmann. The music is haunting and amorous throughout Vertigo. You will be swept off your feet by the tender melodies and drawn in by the disquiet swells. Herrmann wrote perhaps the greatest film music of all time. His sounds fill in the quiet spaces as a loving complement to the atmosphere.

Finally, Vertigo contains the very best acting performance of legendary actor James Stewart. He portrays fear and love as thoughtfully. His facial expressions emote such depth and passion. He is sweet as a leading man, but also always compelling. Stewart is an every man that you truly relate to in Vertigo. Likewise, Kim Novak plays one of the most complex and alluring femme fatales in film. Novak's performance as a lead actress is so tender and seductive as much as she portrays sorrow and longing. Vertigo delivers dual leading roles that will enchant any viewer.

In all, Vertigo remains one of the most lovely romance films in the history of cinema. I love it even after repeat viewings. Hitchcock perfected all of his mighty directorial skills and got splendid performances out of his stars. Vertigo is worth watching for its high entertainment value and impressive technical accomplishments. I would recommend Vertigo to all audiences as it is a surreal and sensual suspense story.