Hitchcock Gold

Rating: 10/10 (24 August 2014)

If I had one word to describe this film, that word would be style. Serious style. Whatever tone or mood that Hitchcock is presenting to us during this film is executed in a memorable way. From suspense, to romance, to intrigue. For example, one of the things that Hitchcock knew how to do great was to tastefully showcase the beauty of a woman as opposed to letting her simply be sexual eye candy. (To put it into modern context: girls in modern blockbusters come across the same as any girl next to a car in a magazine. whereas in a Hitchcock film they feel more like they stem from a painting). But Hitchcock does that in all his films, and this one has a lot more going for it than just showcasing a beautiful woman.
The most memorable trait of this film for me is that it borders on two tones, a Romance and a Ghost Story, the mix of the two tones is what gives it an off but intriguing tone, and even aids in the pace of the film. For you see at times this film feels like a mix of the two, then suddenly something will trigger one of the tones to stand out, and then back to the other. The best thing being is that neither compromises the other; when it feels like a romance it doesn't feel cheap it feels truly emotional. And when it wants to make you feel uncomfortable in the horror fashion it feels intense; psycho/rear window level intense. These two tones are what defines Vertigo for me; its an unusual but fascinating experience.
My personal favorite Hitchcock film.