"I know, I know. I have acrophobia, which gives me vertigo, and I get dizzy." -Scottie

From the opening tiles by the infamous Soul Bass to the dramatic final scene Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock, 1958) has you on the edge of your seat and pondering possible explanations. The complex plot is full of Hitchcock's usual twists and tension. Bernard Hermann's music and long drawn out silences underscore the suspense of the film letting the audience easily get caught up in the complicated plot. Scotty's (James Stewart) growing obsession with Kim Novak's character is shown through the suspenseful music and his expressions. The story's lack of dialogue does seem to make the film move a little slowly at times yet still holds the audience's attention and curiosity. After the first half of the film the plot thickens as it seems all is over, when really it is only the beginning.

James Stewart's performance is nothing more than classic. Vertigo shows one aspect of Stewart's styles, the "innocent man finding himself in a dramatic and complex story" in classic Hitchcock style. Kim Novak, one of Hitchcock's girls, plays her double character exquisitely. Novak wasn't the first choice for the role, however, took on the role perfectly leaving the audience unable to see anyone else playing the character. Her beauty is perfectly appropriate for the story and it's themes. Barbara Bel Geddes' character can seem meaningless yet is crucial as a supporting role to act as an insight into Stewart's character and also to strengthen the theme of unattainable love. Her performance in portraying the sadness, loss and desperation is superb.

Under the plot, themes of love, obsession and manipulation are explored. Once the complexity of the story is solved the audience may need to watch the film again to appreciate these themes which are supported by the casts performances, dramatic music and drawn out story line. The somewhat disappointing ending can seem like an anti-climax, however feeds the theme of hopelessness and obsession.