Vertigo
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo is a thrilling film filled with mystery and suspense. However, Hitchcock left many unsolved issues at the end of this film. In contrast, when comparing Vertigo to more recent films of similar genre', mysteries are usually always solved and thoroughly explained by the end of the film. Ironically, Hitchcock's failure to explain everything to the audience in Vertigo is one of the film's best attributes. This lack of knowledge allows the viewer to use their own imagination and speculate as to what might or might not have become of certain characters. Vertigo boasted several different themes. However, the "Ideal Woman - Lost" theme was the most prevalent ("Handout #1"). This theme was brought on by an obsessed "everyman" type. Jimmy Stewart, otherwise known as Scottie in the film, played this "everyman" type whose personality was maliciously twisted into an overly obsessive man. His cause for obsession was a beautiful, young woman played by Kim Novak, known as both Madeleine and Judy in the film. Madeleine drew Scottie in so deep, that he literally became a different person. This film mirrored Hitchcock's personal feelings and was considered to be his favorite film.
Often times, in film, unlike real-life, a picture must be painted for the viewer to clearly understand the mental and emotional state of a character. These particular scenes are all very successful because they clearly spell out exactly what is happening to Scottie's emotional state. Clearly this was one of the first signs of his growing obsession. Finally, he carefully hung up each article of her clothing to dry. He then removed the clips from her hair and tried to dry her hair. New Jersey: Simon & Schuster, 1999. He immediately took Madeleine back to her car and placed her in the passenger seat. The scene where Scottie was sitting in his car alone after dropping Midge off at her home is a good first example. His act of getting so close to her and calling her name was a clear sign that he deeply cared for her and was very concerned for her safety and well being. Hitchcock does an excellent job at relaying Scottie's swelling obsession to his viewers. A third example is the scene where Scottie is trying to make Judy over. Furthermore, the fact that he let his feelings surface was a sure sign that his obsessive behavior was taking over his entire personality. Alfred Hitchcock was definitely ahead of his time and paved the way for many film-makers to learn from and expand on his expertise of being able to reach an audience, capture their attention, and make the audience feel what the characters are feeling.
Common topics in this essay:
Carlotta Valdes',
Scottie Judy,
Madeleine Scottie,
Please Stewart,
Madeleine Judy,
Hitchcock's Vertigo,
Ironically Hitchcock's,
Alfred Hitchcock,
Jimmy Stewart,
Woman Lost,
alfred hitchcock,
kim novak,
handout #1,
scene scottie,
example scene,
midge car,
scottie's obsession,
carlotta's portrait,
everyman type,
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Acceptance Essays
