by Mortimer Wit

Created on: January 27, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

Few movie titles have ever been as revealing about their story, as Alfred Hitchcock's 'Vertigo'. Dictionary.com defines the word Vertigo as, "a dizzying sensation of tilting within stable surroundings or of being in tilting or spinning surroundings". This constant theme of imbalance runs rank as the scenes pass, but exceptionally so during what shall be called, "The Letter Scene". From this scene, three central characters' imbalances, come readily to the attention of the audience.

The scene begins with main character Scotty Ferguson leaving the apartment. Leading up to this point in the movie, it has been made clear, the physical and mental imbalances that are going on within the head of this character. However, the pivotal nature of this scene occurs presently. A 'from-behind' camera angle hides the reaction of Judy, as Scotty leaves. The Music builds, and the screen fades to a red filter as she turns. Red up to this point has been used as color to associate with Judy Barton's false dealings. So naturally, we move into the past, as the entire plot unfolds, and for the first time you, the audience, are not restricted to the confines of Scotty Ferguson's perspective. The following short scenes from her past are cut precisely to give you an idea of what she remembers, without retelling the whole story. The final two shots of this reminiscing reveal quickly and efficiently that Judy was a stooge for the real death: that of Madeleine Elster. The first, is a quick shot of Judy racing to stop Gavin from throwing his already limp with death wife from the tower; and the other of her lifeless corpse plummeting toward the roof below. As we come back to Judy, the red filter disappears, and she closes her eyes regretfully.

Now another facet of imbalance comes into play: Judy Barton has been forced to repress the way she feels for so long in her life, that she doesn't know how to handle the overwhelming feelings that she has for Scotty.

Her initial instinct is to run away. So she pulls a suitcase and clothes from the closet. Her wardrobe reveals a lavish selection of dresses, and shoes. This would indicate also an unusual attachment to material wants; probably to supplement her otherwise insensitive personality. Also, as she sees the dress that she wore as Madeleine Elster, we hear a familiar chime in the music. The same chime that is heard when Scotty has the Vertigo sensation begging the viewer to recognize the imbalance. She then begins to write. This is a reaction to the emotional pressure from within. Shot from the side at first, you can see that she is left handed. This is also symbolically out of the ordinary. Her words in the letter are purposefully heartfelt, and answer questions in the audiences' mind about why things happened the way they did. It is clear that, in her nearly lifelong attempt to stifle her feelings, she is nearly incapable of psychological balance.

Also implied from the letter, is the severely, dare I say, unbalanced nature of Gavin Elster. Elster is incapable of moderating his greed, even to the extreme of killing his own wife. His own words, "Color, Excitement, Power, and Freedom" serve as his preferred poison.

Now all of the key characters have been revealed, and in the final moments of the scene, Judy tears apart the letter, which could have been her only key to true balance, as if to foreshadow the impending chaos of all parties involved. Scotty is obsessive, Gavin, over possessive, and Judy repressive. In the end, there is chaos. One is scarred for life. One is in jail. And the other is dead.

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