Vertigo, a psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is considered one of the top 20 greatest romantic movies of all times. At least, that’s what the American Film Institute feels, placing it at #18. I hadn’t seen the movie, but I knew it was about the darker side, or rather flip side, of love. Voyeurism. Betrayal. Sickness. Obsession.
I’m all for the happy ending, but I decided to give Vertigo a try. If it’s that high on the list, it must be good. At least, that’s my way of thinking. Vertigo was okay, but maybe I heard about the twist somewhere because I wasn’t surprised with the plot. It’s not my favorite Hitchcock movie. I prefer Rear Window, which also starred James Stewart. That movie had suspense but it also had a happier, satisfying ending. Vertigo has the main character spiraling into madness because of a woman.
And I guess that is why Vertigo is so high on the AFI’s list for Greatest American Love Stories. The love between James Stewart and Kim Novak changes them, and not for the better. It damages them. In the end, it destroys them.
Which makes me wonder, does the destruction make Vertigo a tragic love story, or simply a tragedy?
