Psychic and scenic wonders, 3 Aug 2004

By	Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

All this intrigue and travel results from Detective John Ferguson [Stewart] falling from a roof during a chase. He suffers from acrophobia - fear of heights - which retires him from the police force. He's hired to follow Madeleine, a businessman's wife, on her roamings around the city. She's clocked up a lot of odometer, although claiming merely shopping. None of this requires Ferguson to ascend any heights. In fact, he drops from street level in rescuing Madeleine from an attempted terminal swim in San Francisco Bay.

Do they fall in love? Need you ask? Madeleine, in love or not, is still driven - apparently by the ghost of a 19th Century Spanish grandee's wife, Carlotta. Carlotta resided in the lovely museum town of San Juan Bautista, one of California's mission chain communities. Ferguson and Madeleine make the drive [although going the wrong way on the road]. Madeleine, seemingly possessed, jumps from the Mission campanile [which doesn't exist]. Ferguson, his vertigo restraining him, cannot follow her up the stairs to stop her. End of story?

Not quite. Novak has two roles in this film. Hitchcock, ever the master of intrigue, introduces Judy Barton into Ferguson's life. It is here that Hitchcock makes full use of Stewart's acting abilities. Stewart was always more than just a "middle American" and he shifts from puzzled love to ardent quest with fluid ease. Novak, too, transforms under Hitchcock's deft touch from a cool, aloof beauty to a frightened, subdued and wary girl caught up in bizarre circumstances. The resolution of all these changes can only be tragic.

Hitchcock's work was always superior. In this film, he outdid himself and gave his cast matchless opportunity to fill their roles. He used Stewart more than once, but the other films appear to be training sessions compared with this masterpiece. Hitchcock fills the story with subtle touches that make this film worthy of repeated viewing. Try it. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

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When does love turn into obsession ???, 28 Mar 2005

By	M. Alcat "bel_78" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews

His first task in his new job is following the rich wife of an old acquaintance, Madeline (Kim Novak). Madeline is a beautiful and very rich woman, who supposedly has suicidal tendencies that trouble his husband. The problem is that after some time Scottie starts to fall in love with the enigmatic Madeline. Strangely enough, the same thing seems to happen to her when they meet. But will both live long enough to enjoy their love, or is someone bent on a dark scheme that will inevitably end in death?. What does Scotty's vertigo has to do with those plans?. How far do lies go in this whole story ?. And when does love turn into obsession?.

The answer to all these questions, and many more, can be found in this 1958 Hitchcock's classic. Someone told me that some films are called classics for a good reason. I think "Vertigo" is one of them. If you haven't seen it, please do. I think you won't regret doing that, and that you will pleasantly surprised by all the twists in this strange plot. Strongly recommended!!!.

Belen Alcat

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