haunting, melancholic piece about obsession

Rating: Null/10 (14 November 2002)

There are some negative comments evident in IMDB. Despite the truly shameful naivety of some of them - are interesting to read, with the majority them highlighting some valid, albeit subjective, points. First and foremost, those not particular in tune with films pre-dating the 60s will perhaps find some of the situations and dialogue clunky. I did, but like anything you merely have to become accustomed to it.

Although the film may seem long and slow to some, I did not encounter such problems. Rather, the dreamlike mood induced a hauntingly, melancholic, almost trance-like state for this viewer. This I think is Vertigo's timeless appeal. While Rear Window is arguably the better film, and enjoys greater technical direction, tighter story telling and pacing (as well as a wittier interplay between the two main leads), Vertigo delves into the subconcious and weaves its own unique spell on the viewer as we follow Scotty into obsession.
Vertigo 'feels' like Mr Hitchcock's most personal film. However I do think certain, curious individuals are reading too much into the piece, purely as an insight into Mr Hitchcocks character, particularly his fascination for (certain) blondes. As Mr Hitchcock and his daughter will often attest, he was always concerned merely with cinema art as entertainment - and, that entertainment was always a figment of his imagination.
To a uniquely, beautiful and obsessive creation 5/5