Vertigo - Opening Sequence

Title Sequence

The first shot we see of Madeleine is an extreme close up of the side of her face, straight away this denies her an identity, whereby we are only presented a part of her face. The camera then pans to her lips (which twitch nervously), this shot is significant as it conveys the idea that she is passive, more over that she is being controlled and does not have a voice. Further, the text 'James Stewart' then appears imprinted on top of her face. This text suggests that she is possibly being controlled by a male character, also the idea of male dominance and that Stewart's character is more superior. The sequence continues and the camera tilts upwards towards her eyes, keeping her in a tight frame. The extreme close up is one that closely examines her physical appearance, but also allows us to gaze at her as her eyes move side to side conveying her uncomfortableness with the close scrutiny almost as if she is being forced to have us examine her, again positioning her as somebody who is controlled. The sequence presents her in a series of parts (lips, eyes) to which have no cear identity, moreover we see a clear beauty which we (the audience) can gaze at, or possibly fetish over.