Vertigo on Netflix: You Won’t Believe What Happens!

by

The renowned British filmmaker, often hailed as the “Master of Suspense,” Alfred Hitchcock, is undeniably one of the greatest and most impactful directors ever. His work spans numerous films that can be convincingly called “masterpieces,” such as Rear Window (1954), North by Northwest (1959), and Psycho (1960). Hitchcock was instrumental in developing or mainstreaming a myriad of narrative and stylistic techniques that are now ubiquitous in contemporary filmmaking.

Among Hitchcock’s impressive collection of films, it is Vertigo (1958) that stands out as a particular favorite among critics. This film will be available on Netflix starting June 1st. In 2012, it was ranked as the best film ever made by the esteemed film journal Sight & Sound, and even though it dropped to second place in their 2022 list, it remains highly regarded. The movie features Jimmy Stewart as John “Scottie” Ferguson, a former police officer who is afraid of heights and suffering from trauma, hired by an old college friend (Tom Helmore) to trail his wife, Madeleine (Kim Novak), who has been exhibiting strange, trance-like behavior and disappearing.

Initially appearing straightforward, the storyline takes a turn into a complex and unsettling tale as Scottie grows fixated on Madeleine, despite suspecting that she and her spouse may not be all they appear. The film’s unique narrative structure mirrors its groundbreaking artistic and technical aspects, including its surreal camerawork and visual effects. Let’s delve into why Vertigo is often hailed as Hitchcock’s masterpiece.

The Mysterious and Dreamy Style of ‘Vertigo’

In contrast to Hitchcock’s other films, which are renowned for their vibrant costumes and sets, Vertigo elevates this aspect to unprecedented heights, boasting some of the most stunning visuals ever captured on film. This breathtaking imagery is largely attributed to the movie being shot in San Francisco, one of America’s most iconic and picturesque cities. Prominent real-life landmarks of San Francisco, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Legion of Honor art museum, and Mission San Juan Bautista, California, are extensively featured in the film’s key scenes. The city’s inherent colorfulness, coupled with Edith Head’s legendary costume design (notably on Novak) and Technicolor cinematography, ensures that virtually every frame is bathed in a striking blend of red, blue, green, and, inevitably, blonde.

In my critique, I must commend the director for skillfully employing a dream-like quality in the film’s visual narrative. The use of a hazy, hypnotic lens gives an ethereal feel to the settings – places like Mission Dolores’ cemetery where Scottie follows Madeleine. This artistic choice subtly suggests that Scottie’s pursuit is not grounded in reality, but rather exists as a superficial mirage or fantasy, hinting at his increasing fixation on the enigmatic woman at the heart of his quest.

Highlighting a subtly dreamy ambiance is often Bernard Herrmann’s score, a frequent collaborator with Hitchcock. The melody, dominated by strings, carries an overlapping sense of romance and sorrow, seeming to hint at both the growing bond between Scottie and Madeleine throughout the storyline and its impending tragic outcome.

The Many Spirals of ‘Vertigo’

One reason Vertigo continues to captivate scholars is its abundant use of symbols and themes, as shown by recurring visual motifs like when Scottie gazes down from high places, causing the camera to pan back while zooming out, creating an illusion that the building is expanding or stretching. This technique, known as the “Vertigo effect,” not only reflects Scottie’s fear of heights (acrophobia) but allows viewers to share this perspective.

The spiral is the predominant and striking symbol that repeatedly appears in the movie. It first shows up during the opening sequence, where the camera glides over a woman’s face, revealing a spiral emerging from her pupil, which expands to cover the entire screen. Moreover, Scottie observes that both Madeleine and the woman in the painting have hairstyles that form spirals on the back of their heads. Most notably, following a distressing event halfway through the film, Scottie experiences an unusual and dreamlike state where he is immersed in swirling spirals.

The spiral symbol in “Vertigo” is captivating because it offers multiple plausible meanings. It might reflect Scottie’s vertigo, stemming from his fear of heights. Alternatively, it could signify his descent into an all-consuming obsession with Madeleine, particularly during the latter half of the movie. Moreover, the spiral may symbolize the recurring patterns in time within the film, where past events reoccur in the present, often with detrimental outcomes. This single image, along with numerous others throughout the movie, makes “Vertigo” one of Hitchcock’s most intellectually stimulating films.

The Gender Politics of ‘Vertigo’ Are Timeless

Regardless of its enigmatic plotline, the movie “Vertigo” essentially revolves around a man’s potentially harmful fixation on a woman. He tries to exert as much influence over her life as possible, with tragic results. This narrative seems particularly relevant in today’s world following the MeToo movement, where many stories surface about men exhibiting possessiveness, control, manipulation, and abusive behavior towards women, often disguised as love. Remarkably, “Vertigo” bears a chilling resemblance to Alfred Hitchcock’s own life, as Tippi Hedren claimed that Hitchcock behaved similarly in his treatment of her, mirroring Scottie’s actions towards Madeleine in the film.

The film’s stark portrayal of its director’s questionable actions remains disturbing, yet it’s a key factor that keeps the movie relevant and essential viewing in today’s context. Beyond being an outstanding production, it highlights the uncomfortable reality that even individuals with good intentions can slip into harmful behavior, leading to disastrous outcomes for themselves and others. Unlike the typical mysteries or thrillers one might expect from Hitchcock, Vertigo takes on a more tragic tone, similar to plays like Oedipus Rex or Romeo and Juliet, and it merits the same level of acclaim as those timeless masterpieces. Starting June 1, you can stream Vertigo on Netflix.

Read More

2025-05-31 03:02