The kind of film that improves with a second viewing...

Rating: Null/10 (22 April 2001)

An artful mixture of romance, suspense, atmosphere and mood make 'Vertigo' a stunning film to watch and experience. Bernard Herrmann's almost mystical score accentuates the feel of the story, giving it a kind of dreamlike quality--sometimes nightmarish, depending on the events unfolding. Probably no Hitchcock film ever made better use of a scenic locale with its San Francisco setting making a perfect backdrop for the story. It starts slowly but as the mood of obsession and the "other world" quality of the story takes shape, your senses sharpen and you want to see how it all turns out. James Stewart and Kim Novak are perfect in the leads. I have only one reservation--I am not a fan of Barbara Bel Geddes' stagey style of acting and found her a jarring minor note in the story. The clever plot with a surprise ending is one of Hitch's best works--a richly satisfying experience and a beautiful film to watch. Will have you wanting to view it again for a deeper exploration of its twists and turns.