2020 Blind Spot Series: Vertigo (1958)


There's plenty of Alfred Hitchcock films I'm yet to see so why did I pick Vertigo? Simply because it is regarded as a masterpiece and stars James Stewart. Yes, I'm that shallow. But also, Stewart was terrific in Rear Window, which is easily my favourite Hitchcock film, so I figured I'd play it safe with it. I was wrong as, while it's not terrible, the film is far from being the masterpiece I was expecting. 

Dial M for Murder (1954)

Genres

Crime | Thriller

Director

Alfred Hitchcock

Country

USA

Cast

Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams, Anthony Dawson, Leo Britt, Patrick Allen, Robin Hughes, Martin Milner, George Leigh, George Alderson

Storyline

Ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) blackmails an old college associate (Anthony Dawson) to strangle his wife (Grace Kelly), but when things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B.

Opinion

A while ago, but considering how fast time passes I'm sure it was more than a year ago, I watched Andrew Davis's "A Perfect Murder" which was far from the perfect movie. And now that I've seen "Dial M for Murder", I can say it was an awful remake as well because Hitchcock's film is a tense, exciting and gripping thriller.

Sharing the same simple storyline of its abominable remake, this film actually has a more complex plot, filled with smart twists and it gets more and more interesting and appealing each minute. What makes it step up is the fact that it is not just a simple trying to get away with murder story, but a story that touches themes such as betrayal, passion and jealousy.

The characters aren't that deep or developed, but they are fed with witty and interesting dialogue and Hitchcock's dark sense of humour which make them way more interesting.

Just like most of the English filmmaker's works, "Dial M for Murder" also features a lot of tension and suspense, and a terrific atmosphere, and although it has some flat moments, overall it's very well paced.

And finally, there's the cast. Ray Milland is absolutely brilliant as the jealous husband who decides to commit the perfect murder, Grace Kelly proves she was more than just a pretty face, especially in the second half, giving a rather good performance, and Robert Cummings also does a good job as Kelly's lover. I only wish their relationship had been developed better. 

Psyco (1960)

Genre


Director


Country

USA

Cast

Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Simon Oakland, Frank Albertson, Pat Hitchcock, Vaughn Taylor, Lurene Tuttle, John Anderson, Mrt Mills, Virginia Gregg, Jeanette Nolan, Paul Jasmin, Ted Knight

Storyline

Stressed and under pressure because of stealing a large amount of money from her employer and running away, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) gets lost, and exhausted from the long drive, decides to spend the night at the desolate Bates Motel. The motel is run by Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), a quiet young man dominated by his mother.

Opinion

Here's some facts. Number one, Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense; number two, Psycho, whether is or not his best film, is indeed his most famous picture, because everyone has seen or heard of this film; number three, they tried to make sequels, they tried to remake it, but the truth is that nothing will ever be as good as this masterpiece.

Anguishing, creepy, tense, and sharp as the blade of Bates's knife, Psycho is the film that still defines the horror-thriller genre.

The writing is just brilliant. The narrative is probably the best ever execute in a horror film. The story is interesting, and fascinating, it's full of twists, and surprises that will keep you guessing and engaged till the very end. The most impressive thing about the script is the extremely low body count.

The characters are all great, but two deserves to be mentioned. First up Marion Crane, an unhappy young woman who tries to change her life by running away with her lover and 40,000 dollars. Then there's the character, Norman Bates, a young man whose unhappiness and loneliness will drive him insane.

However, what really made this film legendary is basically everything else. Needless to say is that Alfred Hitchcock's direction is outstanding. The black and white cinematography is divinely marvelous. The famous musical score by Bernard Herrmann is spectacular and perfect to increase the tension. 

Then there is the shower scene that has made the history of cinema. In addition to that there are two more sequences, probably the most impressive of the film. The first is the shot of Janet Leigh with her eyes wide open that wonderfully convey the horror, and sense of grief for the violence. The second is the macabre scene where the mother appears.

At last but not least the unforgettable performance from Anthony Perkins. He gives a charismatic performance as Norman Bates,  and plays the guy in a very naturalistic way, like he was meant for the role. The supporting cast does a fine job, in particular Martin Balsam in the role of detective Milton Arbogast. 


Quotes

Norma Bates: It's sad, when a mother has to speak the words that condemn her own son. But I couldn't allow them to believe that I would commit murder. They'll put him away now, as I should have years ago. He was always bad, and in the end he intended to tell them I killed those girls and that man... as if I could do anything but just sit and stare, like one of his stuffed birds. They know I can't move a finger, and I won't. I'll just sit here and be quiet, just in case they do... suspect me. They're probably watching me. Well, let them. Let them see what kind of a person I am. I'm not even going to swat that fly. I hope they are watching... they'll see. They'll see and they'll know, and they'll say, "Why, she wouldn't even harm a fly..."

The Birds (1963)

Genre

Horror | Romance

Director

Alfred Hitchcock

Country

USA

Cast

Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, Veronica Cartwright, Ethel Griffies, Charles McGraw, Lonny Chapman, Doreen Lang, Karl Swenson, Joe Mantell, Ruth McDevitt, Malcolm Atterbury, John McGovern, Richard Deacon, Elizabeth Wilson, Doodles Weaver, William Quinn, Alfred Hitchcock

Plot

A wealthy San Francisco socialite (Tippi Hedren) pursues a potential boyfriend (Rod Taylor) to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people there in increasing numbers and with increasing viciousness.

Opinion

I'm sorry to say it, but this film disappointed me. The Birds is not a film, but the overlap of two completely different films. While the first part is flat and not tense at all, the second part recovers with the raid of birds, which is technically perfect.

However, the film still has several problems. The stubbornness of Melanie to bring to Mitch the lovebirds raised hopes for a thriller turn due to love obsession, but she just turns into a girlfriend. The possessiveness of Mitch's mother is mentioned but doesn't go further.

No explanation to the sudden uprising of the birds is given, and there is no conclusion, and that's somewhat uncomfortable.

The absence of background music is justified: the story doesn't need it since ambient sounds alone enhance suspense.

Great performances are delivered by the whole cast. 


Quotes

Mother in Diner: Why are they doing this? Why are they doing this? They said when you got here the whole thing started. Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from? I think you're the cause of all of this. I think you're evil. EVIL!

Rating

7.0/10

Rear Window (1954)

Genre


Director


Country


Cast

James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr, Judith Evelyn, Ross Bagdasarian, Georgine Darcy, Frank Cady, Jesslyn Fax, Rand Harper, Irene Winston, Havis Davenport, Gig Young, Harry Landers, Ralph Smiles, Alfred Hitchcock

Plot

After breaking his leg, professional photographer L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies (James Stewart) is confined to his New York apartment. He spends his time looking out of the rear window observing the neighbors, and he becomes convinced one of them has committed murder.

Opinion

I've watched the Castle episode with a similar plot and I was worried I wouldn't have enjoyed the film, but I did. Rear Window is a combination of mystery, romance, thrill and comedy. Alfred Hitchcock was a great filmmaker and he knew exactly how to make a captivating film. All we do while watching this film, is observing someone watching someone else, behind which we can identify the director himself.
The similarities between the start and the end quite impressed me: the film starts with the camera moving from a sleeping backyard to James Stewart's sweaty face, to his broken leg, and it ends in a quite ironic way: same James Stewart, but with both legs broken - meaning he has been punish for his curiosity.
The cinematography is great. The acting is superb.


Quotes

Stella: Intelligence. Nothing had caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence.

Rating

9.0/10