Week 4: Vertigo

For me, Vertigo by far has been the most action packed and intriguing out of all the Hitchcock’s film we have viewed so far.  The introduction of the film grabbed my full attention because of the use of close shot of a woman’s facial features in order to introduce the main actors in the film and also title. The frame, time stamp 1:15 till 1:24, of the eye cast in red lighting with the title of the film, Vertigo, coming out of it to be eerie.  It can also be symbolic of Scottie by means of how he lets acrophobia affect what he can and cannot see.  Also when the swirls come out of the eye allows the audience to get a sense of dizziness in order to relate to Scottie and how his acrophobia feels.

In addition another scene that I found interesting is during the introduction of Madeleine Elster, time stamp 16:17. The décor of the restaurant seemed oversaturated with the colors red and white in order to accent it. For example the walls, floor, chairs, and some of the flowers are red. The table cloths and the rest of the flowers are white. In addition another color that comes into focus is black, which most of the patrons of the restaurant are wearing. The red décor and Scottie’s long looks at Madeleine foreshadow the love that would grow between them. Hitchcock seems to favor these the colors red, green, and white which are also seen in Rope. I also enjoy how Hitchcock initially did not make Madeleine the main focus of the frame, time stamp 16:32, however pushes her to the side but allows her to stand out by the vibrant green trimming on her dress. Also at time stamp 17:24, as Madeleine walks out her profile is shown just like the painting of Carlotta Valdes. Madeleine is introduced to the audience in a similar way as Carlotta Valdes’ painting is introduced; therefore connecting the two together.