Hantise

Ingrid Bergman plays a traumatized woman who has something someone else wants. Her condition involves the death of her mother. She marries the usually suave Charles Boyer and something begins to go amiss. Because of her fragility, she is suddenly culpable for actions that would seem out of character for her. She begins to see and hear things that Boyer and member of the household claim not to see or hear. She also begins a pattern of kleptomania. She is on a road to a mental hospital, until she meets a police officer, played by Joseph Cotten. There is something going on involved with the home they are living in, which once belonged to her mother. The way this is constructed is superb. One of our finest films with some of our finest actors.

a film about vulnerability, past and love. all in the shadow of the fear. remarkable performances. mark of a great director who defines, with precise grace, atmosphere from the first scene. a film about different forms of cruelty. happy meeting of two actors with the science to explore each aspect of the potential of roles. and, I admit, in few senses, the film of Angela Lansburry who, in a small role, does an admirable job. one of films who seems be perfect. for the dialogues and for the use of light. for the wise manner to use the rules of thriller. for the music. and for the analysis of the purpose of charming Gregory Anton. short, a film who must see. again and again. for the special art who has it as beautiful example.

George Cukor's 1944 Hollywood suspense flick "Gaslight" was originally made in 1940 in England under the title "Murder in Thorton Square". When the Hollywood producers got a hold of this hot commodity, they attempted to make the original film vanish from sight and memory by destroying many of the prints. Interesting how this particular tale parallels some of the mental manipulations employed in the film itself. This tense, atmospheric film takes place in London in the 1870's several years after a murder shocked the residents of Thorton Square. Paula, the niece of the deceased woman, has inherited her aunt's house. Strange things start happening when she begins to occupy the place with her new husband. Through a steady thematic build we watch as she slowly loses her mind. "Gaslight" is a classic psychological thriller in the vein of the best Hitchcock with Ingrid Bergman, fresh off "Casablanca", stealing the show as the innocent victim of mental illness.

This drama turned out to be a really good Gothic psychological thriller. It's worthwhile watching if you like these kinds of films. In short: It's about a man who murdered an opera singer over the rubies she is said to own, he searches for them but doesn't find them. Years later Gregory meets Paula, the niece of the woman he killed years ago, and she accidentally uncovers his real identity so he decides to drive her mad to have her locked away while looking for her aunt's rubies. Paula is just lucky that a snoop is interested in what goes on in number 12. The film is pretty dramatic, starts slow while it takes time for the tension to build. It's beautifully filmed, well acted out and a story of madness, murder and crime. 8/10