The Greatest Movie Of All Time

Rating: 10/10 (21 March 2000)

In my opinion, Vertigo is absolutely the best. Few movies can compare to this work of genius, and mere words of praise alone cannot do justice. Alfred Hitchcock has truly created a classic cinematic work of art that needs to be experienced to be believed.
This movie deals with the theme of obsession. The story involves an acrophobic detective John "Scottie" Ferguson (James Stewart) who is hired by a friend to investigate on his mysterious wife Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak). After John rescues her from a suicidal leap into the bay of the Golden Gate bridge, he finds himself becoming obsessed with her. Further plot entanglements ensues, resulting in one of the most fascinating and chilling mystery stories ever told. The "Master of Suspense" certainly lived up to his nickname. Vertigo also contained some of the best acting I have ever seen. There is so much intense psychological agitation between Stewart and Novak. Both actors are simply amazing in portraying their characters with very complex feelings for each other. The beautiful Kim Novak had a dual role, and gave the best performance in the movie. Novak is so haunting, melancholy, and full of mystery because she gave an intelligent and subtle performance. In certain moments of the movie, her characters are truly heartwrenching.
The movie is completed and perfected by the score of the legendary Bernard Herrmann. I cannot stress enough on how important his music is to the emotional impact of Vertigo. The scores range from uneasy agitation to sumptuously romantic with a haunting, dark foreboding tone to it. Vertigo simply won't be the same without Herrmann's music. The crafty use of exuberant colors as symbolic representations throughout the movie is also very clever.
Vertigo is a film so passionate, the whole experience blows my senses away and lingered in my mind for a long time. I have watched it again and again only to find myself becoming mesmerized all over again in a world of obsession. Vertigo is most definitely Alfred Hitchcock's greatest achievement ever.