Mr. Smith goes insane

Trevor Kirbabas

In "Vertigo" James Stewart plays Detective John 'Scotty' Ferguson who having nearly fallen to his death whilst on a roof top chase develops a case of acrophobia which leads him to quit the force as he can no longer climb stairs. But he is contacted by an old friend Gavin Elster  who asks him to tail his wife Madeleine because he fears for her life after she starts behaving strangely, not remembering anything she does during the day. Reluctantly John agrees and after days of following Madeleine he falls for her and after they meet it seems his feelings are reciprocated. But when Madeleine plummets to her death from a church tower, John is unable to save her due to his fear of heights crippling him. Struck by Guilt John suffers a mental breakdown but one day he meets Judy Barton, who is the spitting image of Madeleine.

Watching Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo" for the first time 50 some years after it was originally released it has to be said that at times it feels rather a strange movie, especially compared to modern thrillers. At times it feels a little laborious switching from mystery to thriller as well as taking in an unexpected love story. Plus with its rather strange hypnotic effects, dream sequences. But then "Vertigo" is a movie which demands more than one viewing because underneath all the obvious there is many subtle elements that can only be appreciated when you sort of know what is happening and can take in everything.

Although it is a rather surprising blend of mystery, thriller and love story director and master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock weaves his magic and blends all those elements seamlessly that whilst varied work well together. But it is those underlying elements which you pick up on, on subsequent viewings which make it compelling with issues such as obsession, love and mental disorders all being tackled in often a blunt and brave manner. When Ferguson first encounters his vertigo it hits home the sense of confusion, dizziness and fear that comes with the issue. The struggle Ferguson has with overcoming vertigo is the main theme of the film.