"Only one is a wanderer; two together are always going somewhere."

Rating: 9/10 (1 June 2016)

There are occasions when, in considering a film, one is tempted to ask: "What made this movie so outstanding and lifted it from the status of a fine picture into a classic?" Certainly "Vertigo" falls into that category, for it is one of Hitchock's finest films, possibly the best he ever made. Although the plot is rather improbable, and the director could perhaps have cut down on the automobile searches, this does not matter, as the film is excellent in all other respects. The film benefits greatly from the faultless performances of the players; in particular, Kim Novak. On seeing the film for the first time, one feels rather cheated by the solution being revealed at such an early stage. However, in retrospect, one realizes that the decision is the correct one, for it actually makes the story more credible. For example: when Scotty (James Stewart) meets Judy in the hotel, after her initial display of fear,she agrees after four minutes (I have timed this!) to go on a date with him and later agreeing to give up her job. Incredible? not when you understand her true identity and the fact that she has fallen in love with him - remember when, as Madelaine she said: "It wasn't meant to happen this way" before going into the bell-tower.
The film itself is split into two very distinct parts. The first half of the film is a mystery/romance that is really just a setup for the second half of the movie where the real meat of the story lies. It is in the second half of the movie where the real drama is and it is handled superbly by Hitchcock, James Stewart and Kim Novak. You will notice that I'm not giving any details of the actually story itself, this is for good reason, you really need to see it yourself. There are several things which makes this film really special for me, mainly the emotional turmoil between both James Stewart's and Kim Novak I the last half of the movie. However, there is one aspect of the film which I have always though was quite ingenious. The twist in the story is not revealed at the end of the story, but actually about 2/3rds into the film. Now rather than spoiling the movie early, this just heightens the emotional anguish when you know the secret that Kim Novak is hiding and makes the tension and drama more powerful. The acting and characterization are excellent, the plot complex and intelligent and the film locations memorable ; the Golden Gate Bridge and Bell Tower scenes in particular. Rightly regarded as a cinematic classic.
Overall rating: 9 out of 10.