Vertigo opening sequence analysis

The opening sequence presents us with Madeline in a extreme close up, this fills the frame and a sense of claustrophobia. We are able to see her discomfort through how she attempts to avoid making direct eye contact, her constant efforts to avoid eye contact allows the audience to see that she looks uncomfortable under close scrutiny. An extreme close up of her lips show that they are twitching nervously, this introduces anxiety and a close examination of the characters physical appearance as integral themes.

The music is very intense when focused on Madeleine’s lips and eyes; the constant repetition in the song creates a sense of never ending and a endless loop. The music as well as the red tint of the graphics shifts the mood to create a tenser atmosphere.

We are continually being drawl towards the spirals and deeper into Madeline’s psychology. The spirals appear to come from a distance and then fill the screen, when one disappears another takes its place. This was designed as a visual metaphor for the complex layers of a person’s identity as well as dizziness and falling.

The eye reinforces the idea o watching or gazing and introduces the theme of identity; the colour red that is used in this opening sequence connotes danger as well as lust. This represents Scottie as his lust for Madeline is dangerous to not only himself but to also the people around him.