Question

What did you think of VERTIGO? Just your general reactions. What did you think Hitchcock is trying to say? What was your reaction to the various plot twists?

Answer 1

• One reason "nothing" could have prevented him from making the film is the fact that he bares his own weaknesses and obsessions through Scotties stories. The high heal shoes, icy blondes, and most of all his actresses were his creations as Scottie remakes Judy into the "dead" Madeline. This transformation is complete when Judy emerges from the room with her hair in a bun. Their kiss and dizzy circular movement of the two kissing. Indeed all camera movements are left to right in the first half and right to left in the second half.
• The Freudian beginning sets the stage. The thief (id) is chased by Scottie (ego) and followed by the uniformed policeman (super-ego). The officer dies, the thief is left running through the rooftops and streets of San Francisco and Scottie is left devastated and traumatized.
• Vertigo has flaws and moments that don't hold up as well today including the twist being given away too easily, but that makes the film all the more fascinating. It's an imperfect, beautiful piece of art. It reflects the best and more base of Hitchcock's personality and instincts, and touches very powerfully on repressions within our society.