Vertigo : Overrated

Overrated

7/10


On a mission from God (248/250)

Re: Overrated

My least favorite of Hitchcock's.

Re: Overrated

6/7 for me too. Hitchcock did not do his homework, should have had a better story line. Chose art over reality, which is okay for the purists, but I like a little more realism. To each their own....

RSGRE

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Re: Overrated

I agree that it's overrated and also gave it a 7/10. However I feel that it's a 7/10 that truly had the potential to be an easy 8/10 or maybe even a 9/10 with just two, albeit crucial, missteps.

The first, as many other people would say, is the letter that Judy writes to Scottie with the flashback of the real clock-tower events. When it hits you, you get hit with that sudden realization - it's a great twist. The problem it, after the "twist" is revealed, there's still so much movie left that much of the suspense has been sucked out of it. Had we been left in the dark - take the flashback and letter scene completely out - it would've been so much better in my opinion. Then Scottie's suddenly increasingly paranoid and aggressive behavior at the second clock tower visit would have been even more intense and frightening, just as well we would've been revealed the twist as he began to confront Judy. THEN they could've showed the flashback as Scottie was confronting her. The ending scene was very climatic as it is, but it would've been so much more intense if done this way.

Secondly, I didn't like how Gavin explained to Scottie all the stuff about her wife being mentally unstable and having a grandmother who killed herself, etc., all up-front. I would have preferred he just tell Scottie to track his wife because she's acting suspicious - and that's all. This would lead us to believe that maybe it's something smaller, like she's having an affair, and as an audience, we would slowly become immersed in Scottie's confusion and curiosity as we watch the girl go to the museum and stare at the painting, or jump into the river, etc... I set-up of the murder and how it unfolded would still have worked just fine, but now the assessment would be 100% on Scottie's shoulders instead of Gavin having given unnecessary exposition. The only missing piece of info would be that Carlotta was Madeline's grandmother, but that could've been handled in some other way.

I also don't like how James Stewart looks like he's in his early 50's and Kim Novak looks like she's in her early 20's. Just seems harder to immerse yourself into the love interest, I guess. But that's not a real qualm, just a nitpick. I don't love James Stewart as an actor, personally, but this is by far his best acting role that I've seen.

Re: Overrated

Obviously these are mostly subjective matters. Your proposal of delaying 'the big reveal' until the scene whereby Scottie drags Judy up the bell-tower would have extended the "murder mystery" suspense further, that's for sure. That works well if you see Vertigo solely as a murder mystery. Extending the story and shifting the perspective of suspense from murder to one of a more psychological in nature allowed for the exploration into Scottie's pathology (not just his acrophobia). I contend that's where the more significant meat of the story resides.
Assuming Gavin suspected his wife Madeleine of having an affair, Scottie initially declined his plea for help. I believe he said he didn't want to get caught up in those types of things. Besides, Gavin was counting on Scottie becoming obsessed with Madeleine and bringing a third man into the equation would have simply complicated things. No, it had to be some sort of story which Scottie himself didn't really believe on the surface yet would have been intrigued enough about, especially after having been introduced to Madeleine's beauty, that he would thereby be sucked in so to speak.
As for the age difference. I think it worked well and given what we learned later on concerning "Judy's" back-story, it's an essential element. She grew up a "fatherless" child and there was, I believe, more than a little implied hint of sexual tension between her and her mother's husband/her step-father which drove her out of the house and out west of Kansas. While revealing to Scottie some of her past, Judy makes the odd statement that she's been "understanding" (concerning men's advances) ever since she was a little girl. Those that take exception with Scottie and Judy's age-differences don't stop to think she was Gavin's girl before she became Scottie's. "Age-play" was a pathology of Judy's, she desired a father figure.

Re: Overrated


When it hits you, you get hit with that sudden realization - it's a great twist. The problem it, after the "twist" is revealed, there's still so much movie left that much of the suspense has been sucked out of it.


There's another bigger problem with the twist revealed so early. It ruins the major theme of the last part of the movie, that of a mentally ill man becoming so obsessed with a dead woman that he tries to turn another woman into her image. This is one of the most brilliant, thought provoking themes ever in a film. The thing, though, is that once it's revealed that Judy is Madeleine, Scotty isn't so much acting out a creepy obsession with a dead woman as much as acting out a subconscious realization that Judy *is* Madeleine.

---
"America never had an Islamic terrorist attack before Obama"--Adolph Ghouliani, America's Mayor

Re: Overrated

I disagree. THere's nothing in the film that remotely suggests that Scottie was aware on any level that Judy was Madeleine.

Re: Overrated

Vertigo isn't solely a suspense film, it's a synthesis of different film genres that Hitchcock tinkers even moreso to include metaphysical themes.

Re: Overrated

The only reason i gave it a 7 is out of respect for the great Hitch. After my second viewing, even i would have to say this is my least favorite of Hitchcock's.


"Top of the world, Ma!"

Re: Overrated

My least favorite is 'Rear Window. What a trash of a film.
My favorite is 'Vertigo' it is also in my top 20 films of all time.

Re: Overrated

Fortunately no one really cares much that you dislike Rear Window, one of his masterpieces. Like no one really cares that the previous posters don't like Vertigo, a film the greatest movie critics in the world have declared is the best film ever made. Usually this means people don't really understand the film.

Re: Overrated


dohaperson replied Nov 1, 2016
Fortunately no one really cares much that you dislike Rear Window, one of his masterpieces. Like no one really cares that the previous posters don't like Vertigo, a film the greatest movie critics in the world have declared is the best film ever made. Usually this means people don't really understand the film.

And the critics around when it was released didn't like it. So, which critics are correct? Like you said, no one cares what you think, and the only one with a problem understanding is you. Anyone who feels the opinions of a  critic are more valid than any else's, clearly is clueless beyond help. Critics' opinions between then and now are completely opposite, and their purpose in life is to exaggerate opinions and sell their publications. Grow up. Critics aren't special or smarter than anyone else. And the fact that they disagree invalidates your entire existence.

Re: Overrated

I absolutely hated Vertigo for many reasons. When you compare this overwrought melodrama "mood" piece with the kind of work that makes Hitchcock unique and a joy, it's very depressing. Think of the delightful ,early Hitchcock masterpiece " The Lady Vanishes" with the lovable Dame May Whitty, , the witty dialogue - that inimitable Hitchcock tongue in cheek combined with real suspense, action, and the shadow of the upcoming war. Clever and brilliant performance from Michael Redgrave and the very attractive, self-confident leading lady played charmingly by Margaret Lockwood -- compare this character to the pathetic,,dreary cool blondes of misagynistic "Vertigo", and a few of Hitchcock's later female characters . The Cricket fans are absolutely hilarious and so of the period yet they were in the Great War and when push comes to shove, they have guts. The quintessential Englishman. This film is a gem.

So is "Psycho" and at least 7 other Hitchcock films over the years. "Rear Window" is another classic Hitchcock film, as is "Strangers on a Train" and "Dial M For Murder". Hitchcock mastered the camera, but also his trademark touch of injecting a thriller, even one with some grim elements, with wit.

Vertigo is a hideous film in every respect. And were it not for the innovative camera shots, it bears no resemblance to a Hitchcock film.
I think this movie was Hitchcock's cinematic masterbation. I wonder what the talented Alma thought of it.

Re: Overrated

The ending scene is straight garbage, no doubt about it. Everything before the "falling action" is really an incredible movie.

Re: Overrated

Too much suspension of belief.

Re: Overrated

4/10

Re: Overrated

I agree. It's not close to even being one of AH's best movies much less best of all time, for England. It's an intentional b-movie that intentionally rises above it with A-list actors and of course, direction.

My Cinema Site at www.cultfilmfreaks.com

Re: Overrated

The posters who denounce Vertigo as trash, garbage and hideous should be ashamed to parade their ignorant, vulgar minds before the readers of imdb. This brilliant film has been lauded by the most distinguished critics, but what do they know beside these posters?

Re: Overrated


spencerc2217 replied Jan 1, 2017
The posters who denounce Vertigo as trash, garbage and hideous should be ashamed to parade their ignorant, vulgar minds before the readers of imdb. This brilliant film has been lauded by the most distinguished critics, but what do they know beside these posters?

What a pathetic, immature, pile of trash. Is this your validation in life? People today seem to like the movie, and critics of today rate it highly, and they just happen to have your opinion,  so somehow you're superior?

Grow up. The movie didn't do well when it came out. Most critics didn't like it. It wasn't until 20 years ago that it got this overblown following. Critics are only people who got a job writing about movies. Thinking their opinion is more valid than anyone else's makes you an idiot.

But for argument's sake, let's take your moronic theory to task. Critics, according to you are superhuman. Well, again, critics, when it came out, didn't like it. Critics today who think they're experienced and wordly, just want to be contrary to everyone else, so now it's a masterpiece.

So which critics are right? Just the ones that agree with you? You're the ignorant one.
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