Vertigo (1958)

The poster states that 'Vertigo' is Hitchcock's masterpiece. You know, it's not far off, but when you're spoilt for choice, it's tough to keep up.

I mean: seriously, how many great and classic films did Hitchcock make? How many leave indelible imprints on the mind that instantly pop up the moment the titles are spoken aloud?

And also: how many directors have such an enormous legacy?

Anyway, 'Vertigo' is brilliant from start to finish. But it's not a straightforward film in any sense of the word. You will have to pay attention, because this has a slow burn that pays off really well.

James Stewart is Scottie Ferguson, a police detective who retires after his fear of heights causes a fellow officer to fall to his death. He is contacted by a former college friend, who wants him to follow his wife. She is suspected of being possessed by some long dead girl named Carlotta Valdez. Like the viewer, Scottie doesn't believe this hokey explanation, but as he follows the wife, he discovers that not all is as it seems and the plots begins to thicken in many ways.

'Vertigo' is one of those masterclasses in building up tension, much like 'Psycho', only with a different take. We closely follow Scottie and he is our portal into this world and case, and Hitchcock slowly but surely reels us in and when he has got us, the story takes a turn you won't see coming. It's all about waiting just long enough before something new pops up, which makes that new item all the more impactful and important.

The score by Bernard Herrman is completely fitting, and very, very recognizable. As is that one trippy sequence where Scottie has a vivid nightmare. You'll know what it is, it has James Stewart's face in close-up and lots of bright colours. It's been used so often, it's hard to miss.

In the end it's Stewarts acting that completely sells us on the entire idea. He is a man who feels uncomfortable, but is trying to get to terms with his problems and then on several occasions, the rug is pulled out from under him, slowly driving him into madness. Rewatch this several times, it's brilliantly done.

Maybe 'Vertigo' is not the nailbiting thriller you might think, but is more a nifty psychological study of a man who loses all control and doesn't know how to handle it all. Much like most people, I daresay.

A true classic in every sense of the word.