Monday, April 19, 2010

Vertigo Is A Must See Movie

By Isaac Perkins

Vertigo, the classic psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock stars stunning femme fatale Kim Novak and James Stewart and is a film of intrigue, passion and deception.

It was produced in 1958 and written by Samuel Taylor and Alec Coppel who adapted it from a novel by Narcejac.

The film's location in California is a backdrop for many iconic images such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the mission San Juan Bautista and other classic scenes. It was mainly filmed in the bay area and there are many images from around San Francisco including Mission Dolores, Coit Tower and the Legion of Honor.

The plot of the film is compelling viewing and is ranked as one of the best films of all time. There are many twists and turns which will have you on the edge of your seat.

The main protagonist nicknamed Scottie is exposed to the traumatic death of a colleague who falls from a rooftop. He is unable to cope with the vivid recollection of the scene and retires from the police department. He is plagued by vertigo, a dizzying disorder, when exposed to heights. A request from an old college buddy, Gavin, makes Scottie pick up one final investigation.

The pace picks up as Scottie is hired to tail Madeleine, Gavin's wife. She is obsessed with a woman named Carlotta Valdes and visits her grave and portrait each day.

Scottie continues to follow Madeleine and sees her jump into the bay at Fort Point. He prevents her from taking her own life, they form a rapport and she tells him that she is afraid that she is going insane. She has a recurring dream that plagues her.

They figure out that this landmark is in a small town, San Juan Bautista and Madeleine is convinced to face her fears and see if this can stop the nightmares. When they arrive she flees to the top of the tower. Scottie's vertigo will not allow him to climb higher. He hears a scream and witnesses a body land at the bottom.

Madeleine's death haunts him and he revisits the places they went and can't forget her. He meets Judy, a striking young woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Madeleine. He asks Judy to wear the same clothes and go to the same places that he went with Madeleine. She does this out of love for him.

A climax is where he makes the connection that they are the same person when he sees Judy wearing Carlotta Valdes' necklace.

He confronts Judy at the mission in San Juan Bautista. The whole thing has been a plot to murder Gavin's first wife and inherit the money. Judy was paid for her services.

They battle it out and a nun steps forward. Judy screams. She falls off the bell tower to her death below. Scottie's vertigo is no more.

This film is a classic and an absolute must see. The plot driven suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end.

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