In recent weeks I have taken in a number of films including “Red Sparrow”, “Love, Simon”, “Annihilation”, “Death Wish” and “Black Panther”. Although they each had their moments, I couldn’t muster the energy to write a review on any. There just wasn’t much of interest to say.
So, I decided to change it up a little. Every once in awhile some theaters feature classics for a very limited run, often just a day or two. Such was the case recently when a local movie house featured Hitchcock’s masterpiece “Vertigo”.
i arrived at the appointed 2 pm showing to a massive crowd of two people! For some reason rather than previews the screen pictured a “Chevrolet” logo accompanied by a music track for twenty minutes. One of the two patrons got up and left never to return. Upon his departure the magic began.
What a special treat it is to comfortably relax on a beautiful afternoon and take in the genius of Alfred Hitchcock and composer Bernard Herrmann.
”Vertigo” opened to at best lukewarm reviews in 1958. This showing was in celebration of its 60th anniversary. Over the years the film garnered more scrutiny and its place in film history shot upward significantly, so much so that some well regarded polls among film makers rank it as the best movie ever made, surpassing “Citizen Kane”!
I was struck by how often Hitchcock used closeups of his actors. Every facial expression is amplified and of course the stunning beauty of Kim Novak is even more obvious. She was but 24 when the film was made, opposite a 49 year old Stewart.
The score is unreal and complements Hitchcock’s genius behind the camera. I found myself marveling at how critical the music was to the entire experience.
Hitchcock was nominated five times as Best Director, and never won. Hard to believe. This spectacular endeavor garnered a single Oscar nomination, that being Best Art Direction-Set Direction, and lost.
Suffice to say, Stewart and Novak are beyond wonderful in this special film. Supporting cast includes the superb character actress Ellen Corby and Barbara Bell Geddes, both of whom were nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the 1948 hit “I Remember Mama”.
If you get the chance, do yourself a big, big favor and see “Vertigo” on the big screen. They just don’t make them like they used to.
