Vertigo Opening Scene

There were several scenes in Vertigo that movie could have served as the conclusion. In Vertigo, there were screen blackouts that made me think, and maybe other viewers, that the movie was ending. One blackout occurred after the death of “Madeleine”. Because the viewers were brought back to the opening scene by what happened prior to this scene, an ending here seemed appropriate, especially with the idea of ending at the beginning. Another scene seemingly fit as a conclusion was after Midge told the doctor that John was and still is in love with Madeleine. This ending would have left the viewers with feelings of dismay and sorrow, and acceptance of Madeleine’s truth. These endings would have been fitting and typical. Both instead, the plot is extended, and the viewers’ see this maniac part of John and learn the truth about Judy. And the viewers receive this abrupt and unforeseen ending: Judy falling to death at the sight of a nun. It’s ironic, and left me in awe. …show more content…
Some viewers tend to anticipate characteristics about the ending of a movie before it happens. Many films and television shows follow the same resolution, i.e. the hero defeats the villain, and everyone lives happily ever after. But when a film deviates from the anticipated ending, like in Vertigo, this massive sense of shock is felt. The film ended with a spectacle. Ending with a spectacle disrupts this idea of having a resolution because it leaves you with questions about what happened next. You feel like you deserve to know what follows in response to the spectacle, i.e. how does John cope with knowing that the illusion of Madeleine is truly gone and that he is responsible, not his vertigo, for her