Member review

This enticing thriller follows the story of former detective Scottie, played by the notorious James Stewart, who suffers from an extreme case of vertigo. After a terrible accident at work, Scottie attempts to gain his nobility back by taking up a case given to him by an old college friend who believes his wife is possessed by the spirit of her deceased great-grandmother. In a story of obsession, Stewart steps into a role worlds apart from his typical charming, goofball persona seen in 'The Philadelphia Story' and 'Rear Window' in order to become the broken, possessive man that is Scottie. Hitchcock's iconic use of precise aesthetic choice perfectly matches the tone of the film with the colours red and green being particularly predominant in connoting the theme of obsession. Hitchcock uses a 'pure cinema' to let narrative unfold where no dialogue is required which makes for an intense watch whilst being all the more intriguing. In what is arguably considered one of the greatest films of all time, 'Vertigo' is the perfect example of why Hitchcock is the Shakespeare of film. Any fan of cinema should watch this film as it is seen by many to be Hitchcock's finest work.