Vertigo Reviews

A stunning masterpiece

Beautifully and powerfully directed, visually pleasing, with the same passion the French story line carries.

Mesmeric, obsessive, and well acted.

A love story with a sad series of twists.

Not about, as some would have it, male dominance, and control.

No, far more subtle, and psychological in nature.

A story of cruel triple betrayal, manipulation, breakdown, obsessive love, repentance and giving, hurt, anger and love, all mixed very effectively and with tragic results.

You feel for both the main characters played by J. Steward and Kim Novak in different ways, forgetting the one who really deserves your sympathy completely.

James Steward plays his role under Hitchcocks direction perfectly, Novaks Hyde to Dr. Jeckel transformation is stunningly effective.

VINTAGE HITCHCOCK

Possibly one of the greatest films of all time, Hitchcock's masterpiece sends your head into a spin time and time again. James Stewart is on blistering form, a long time collaborator of Hitchcock's - still amazing to think that Hitchcock never won an Oscar for best director - perhaps that reflects the true worth of the Academy Awards. C'est La Vie!

Compulsive viewing

Vertigo is Hitchcock in peerless form. It is him at his sharpest and his darkest, and it is a movie which remains unrivalled to this day. It was made during Hitchcock’s golden years, which also included North by Northwest and Psycho. It even surpasses these two wonderful films.

The key to this film is its meticulous timing. It’s pacing is superb. It allows the film to breathe, without allowing it to drag on. The viewer sees through the eyes of James Stewart’s character during the first part of the movie, as we too become enchanted by this mysterious woman. Stewart successfully conveys the multitude of his emotions that his character goes through, and does in a powerfully subtle manner. Kim Novak sustains the allure that surrounds her character; her and Stewart share a chemistry that is rarely seen on-screen.

Despite all this, the film’s main strength is its plot, which has clearly inspired so many subsequent movies in this genre. Both the beginning and end of the movie remain imprinted in the viewers’ brain long after watching the movie.

If there were a list of five modern cinematic masterpieces that must be seen, this would surely be one of them.

A film that really hits the heights

Vertigo is probably one of the best collaborations between James Stewart and the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock.

Set in San Franciso, John Ferguson (Stewart) suffers will agoraphobia after an accident whilst serving in the police force. Now retired, Ferguson is asked by a friend to follow his wife who has started to develop some suspicious character traits. Typically, Ferguson is drawn to the woman and starts to believe her story. As the fim develops all is not what it seems, leading Ferguson into a pschyological spiral and obsesiveness.

Stewart is brilliant as ever and Hitchcock's direction is masterful. Considering this film was made over 40 years ago, it still feels fresh and innovative. The only reason it doesn't get five stars is that Rear Window is the best Hitchcock film ever made and nothing is really on a par with.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head...

Wow.

I mean it.

I've been endeavouring to see this film for so long now, as I have been assured by University lecturers that this is a must-see for any filmmaker. And they were not wrong. I was drawn into this film very early on, and couldn't take my eyes off this beautifully restored version of Hitchcock's masterpiece for the entire duration.

Every shot looks good, the level of cinematographic talent on display here is astonishing. It beats Psycho any day of the week. Ignore those that say this is a 'slow' film, it just takes it's time, but it never lets you get bored, the well-rounded characters are too interesting for that! And of course there's those oh-so-famous-and-perma-imitated shots which are a filmmaking benchmark for originality.

This is a film about obsession, and it is easy to see why people get obsessed about this film...

I am now.

Excellent

Not just as good as NBNW or Rear Window - this is still razor sharp direction and a classic tale of mystery by the best in the business.

Vertigo

This was so woeful it was unbelievable. Don't get me wrong, im a Hitchcock fan, however this was pretentious and dull. One to miss. James Stewart is sickening in this, I hate him in it. A ghastly, woeful and unpleasant film. Avoid at all costs.

[Highly rated reviewer]

The worst ending of any film I have ever seen,

so much so it ruined all that prceded it.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Off form Hitchcock

Perhaps I missed something but the tale lacks suspense and is far too long. You really don't care about the twist by the end.

Under-developed, slow and boring

Can't see what all the fuss is about, I feel duped by all the rave reviews. Definately NOT a classic.