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    Vertigo

    Reviewed by
    pietroantoni@

    VERTIGO is arguably Alfred Hitchcock's most personal film for several reasons not the least of which is his obsession for beautiful women especially blonds which is a theme of prime importance especially as concerns Scottie, a former detective (James Stewart) and the mysterious Madeleine (Kim Novak) It befuddles me that the film was not a great hit when released in 1958 simply not having the expected impact on the audience. Well time has changed all that and the film is now considered Hitchcock's greatest achievement. I honestly believe the 50's crowd could not understand the very 'noir', complex themes of the film. With VERTIGO now fully restored to the lustre of its youth, it's as great a movie that you are ever likely to see. Jimmy Stewart as the acrophobic detective trying to find normalcy in life has never been better, on a par with his delivery in ANATOMY OF A MURDER. Kim Novak, in a dual role, positively bewilders. It is her greatest performance on screen ever. This is ironic as she was not slated for the role of Madeleine, rather VERA MILES whom Hitchcock wanted to turn into a major star. Tests, wardrobe, make-up, a needed painting required for the film were all done to tailor Vera Miles' upcoming portrayal of the redoubtable "heroine". When shooting was to begin Ms Miles was pregnant and so the search for a new Madeleine began, finally settling on Kim Novak.

    When asked by a former college friend to play detective once again, Scottie's life will forever be altered. Hitchcock pulls out all the stops and Vertigo becomes a film of fixation and obsession like nothing Hitchcock ever explored before. It becomes an increasingly painful, dark film as Scottie is caught in a web of secrets, deceit and lies of which he knows nothing, ultimately to end in disaster. But there is more. An ENORMOUS twist will upend any viewer's idea of what is sane, exactly what happens to the protagonist, Scottie. As you continue on the adventure of Vertigo, its entire world becomes some sort of Salvador Dali nightmare of a painting as you try to come to grips with the actual situation. Nothing seems to make sense for a good while. As with the protagonist you will be asking yourself what, in fact, is illusion and what is reality. What is the truth in all this? It's a world of befuddled confusion before we come to the answers we need and want. As stated above, I don't believe even a fairly sophisticated audience of the 1950's could truly probe this very mysterious, unsavoury side of life. Also starring a charming Barbara Bel Geddes and Henry Jones and Ellen Corby in small but significant roles. The film is based on the French novel "Entre les Morts" by Pierre Boileau who along with Thomas Narcejac finally came up with a shooting script that Hitchcock approved. Without such a brilliant screen play there would be no great film. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A MUST SEE MASTERPIECE!

    10
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    pietroantoni@  26.1.2015 age: 36-49 14,540 reviews

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