Vertigo Movie Review

Vertigo is a 1958 movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart and Kim Novak. It tells the story of John Ferguson a San Francisco detective who suffers from vertigo after narrowing avoiding a life ending injury trying to make a rooftop arrest. One day he receives a call from an old school friend who wants him to keep tabs on his suicidal wife. Of course, while following through on this assignment John discovers more than he was expecting and begins to fall for the woman he is observing.
Like most Hitchcock films the story will manage to keep you in a tantalizing state of suspense for the entire duration and the ultimate mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Stewart and Novak share a great deal of chemistry and while they are falling for each other you will be falling for them as a couple hoping that they will make it. This is aided by the fact that it is one of Hitchcock’s more romantic films with some great shots and imagery lending to the mood. The scenes under the Golden Gate Bridge and by fireside will certainly attest to this. The cinematography as a whole is also memorable and ranges from windswept seaside kisses to haunting scenes in an old bell tower. The beauty of San Francisco and the west coast is captured perfectly and regardless of what the subject is most scenes will stay with you long after your initial viewing.
That being said the film may not be for everyone. It is one of Hitchcock’s darker works with the director never allowing the characters many moments of complete safety and their happiness more often than not dangled just out of reach. So those in search of a more light-hearted affair might be inclined to search elsewhere. (Rear Window being an excellent alternative) Also while most of Hitchcock’s visuals and storylines will remain timeless some of the strobe light like effects have not aged as well and their comical dated nature might distract from the overall seriousness of the movie. However I would certainly recommend this film to anyone weather they are an experienced Hitchcock enthusiast or have never heard of him before. It is certainly an older movie but still remains a powerful and entertaining film 50 years later and with all its subtleties is a movie that will keep you engrossed even after multiple viewings.