Vertigo
1958
*****
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
An intriguing psychological mystery about a retired detective who is hired to follow a deeply troubled young woman. He saves the lady's life and falls in love with her, but tragedy is inevitable. The protagonist (James Stewart in fine form) is a fascinatingly complex individual who transforms from a naive, vulnerable hero to a cold and emotionless obsessive. Hitchcock's highly influential thriller was ignored upon release, but it is now widely recognized as one of his best films. The picture looks stunning and Bernard Herrmann's haunting score is unforgettable. Adapted from a novel by Boileau-Narcejac.
