Gaslight

Rating:
Summary: Great Period Drama
Review: Director George Cukor's Gaslight is a wonderful mystery suspense in the Alfred Hitchcock tradition. And where Hitchcock had trouble with mastery over period dramas, Cukor excelled. The set decoration and camera work are extraordinary and the performances are all on target. Another reason this film has a Hitchcock feel is due to the fact that two of Hitchcock's most popular players, Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotton, star. Bergman stars as Paula Alquist, a shy young woman, whose only surviving relative was brutally murdered when she was a teenager. Bergman's aunt, Alice Alquist was a famous opera singer and as the movie begins, we find Bergman studying voice in Italy. Accompanying her on the piano is the suave and sophisticated Charles Boyer, the object of Bergman's affections. Distracted by this new love in her life, Bergman gives up her studies and runs off and marries Boyer. All seems wonderful until Boyer convinces Bergman that they should return to her home in London, the very place where her aunt was murdered. Bergman is reluctant, but gives in to please her new husband. Unknown to Bergman, however, is the fact that Boyer murdered her aunt looking for some very expensive, but hidden jewels. His obsession in finding them goes so far as to convince Bergman that she is on the brink of insanity. Cotton enters the scene as a sympathetic Scotland Yard inspector, and a fan of Bergman's late aunt. He is convinced that the mystery surrounding Alice Alquist's murder is somewhere in that house, and he also suspects Boyer. Bergman shines in her first Academy Awarding winning performance. Hers is a delicate, well balanced tour de force that draws the viewer in and makes us sympathize and pull for her to triumph. As the diabolical husband, Boyer is properly menacing and cruel, carefully orchestrating Bergman's descent into madness. With all this talent and star power in one film, Gaslight couldn't help but be a masterpiece. Gaslight is also noteworthy for 17-year-old Angela Landsbury's film debut as the saucy maid Nancy. With all the polish and resources of the MGM film factory at its peak, Gaslight is superb in every way. Wonderful entertainment.

Rating:
Summary: Smooth Talking Guy
Review: A smooth talking guy keeps trying to drive his wife crazy by tellingher stuff that makes her think she's insane or something. It's likeeverything he can do to confuse her makes him happy. He is trying toget the jewels. Maybe he is the one who is really out of his mind.There is an old song from the 60's called GOING OUT OF MY HEAD OVERYOU. there's also a song from the 60's called SMOOTH TALKING GUY ormaybe SWEET TALKING GUY. Well, he is smooth but never sweet except topretend which is all part of his act. Then there's a herro who savesher and the MURDER SHE WROTE lady is in it when she was young but notso beautiful even then. It was cool to see what the guy did to tryand drive his wife mad. But then he ends up getting mad in his ownway.

Rating:
Summary: Sir Charles Drives Ingrid and Audience to Breaking Point!
Review: Perhaps it was my imagination, but I seem to have felt myself slipping into the "Twilight Zone" while being completely absorbed in this movie. Ingrid Bergman won a well deserved Academy Award in this psychological thriller from 1944. Charles Boyer and Angela Lansbury were both nominated for their devious but stylish performances. The film was also nominated for best screenplay and cinematography. Even with all this going for it, "Gaslight" has become somewhat dated (through no fault of its own), and a bit tedious at times. But make no mistake about it, "Gaslight" is old fashioned storytelling at its best! It's 100 percent gothic romance! What more could you ask for than distinctly Victorian flavor in a Victorian London setting? If you answered, "relentless tension," your wish has been granted! The script is clever, and the atmosphere haunting. Just one flaw: A disappointing conclusion to an otherwise exquisite production. However, as the end approaches, you may be mentally drained and exhausted to the point where just one more plot twist could have put you over the edge. And what a great, and oh so appropriate title! I will buy the DVD, and watch it again, and again, and again.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant--WHERE IS THE DVD?
Review: This is a favorite of mine, and it just gets better with each watching. The acting is subtle, restrained, and perfect for the mood of the film. I grow to enjoy the sets and lighting with each viewing--simply masterful. So WHY ON EARTH ISN'T THIS BRILLIANT FILM OUT ON DVD? That is a true shame. This movie deserves to live forever and be enjoyed by generations to come as a perfect example of psychological suspense done correctly.

Rating:
Summary: Creepy Drama
Review: Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman star in this chilling and creepy drama of a woman slowly driven to madness in her London home - the same house where her aunt was murdered. Boyer and Bergman are both excellent, and the foggy London atmosphere is perfect. Only caveat - Joseph Cotten, playing a British detective with an American accent !

Rating:
Summary: Masterful
Review: George Cukor's Gaslight is truly masterful. The performances of Bergman, Boyer and Lansbury have to been seen to be believed. Cukor brilliantly combines romance, madness and murder to create one of the most haunting movies ever. The only downside is Joseph Cotten as A Scotland Yard detective. Where is his english accent?

Rating:
Summary: Hitchcock Move Over
Review: If you like Hitchcock movies, you'll love the one he didn't do. Gaslight has everything. Excellent acting, suspense, "mind games", big stars, you name it. I want to see it every other year - just to remind me what good moviemaking is. BRING IT OUT ON DVD - PLEASSSSSE!

Rating:
Summary: Better than the British original
Review: I've loved Gaslight since I first saw it 15 years ago, and recently ordered it from a video company in Britain. THough I ordered the Hollywood version, it was unavailable and they sent the British version instead. Interesting, but almost completely lacking in the psychological drama and suspense of the Bergman/Boyer version, mostly because from the very start, it's made clear that the husband is lying to his wife about all the disappearances. So this is one time Hollywood got it right--Bergman and Boyer bring a tension to the film that sizzles off the screen and Lansbury is wonderfully devious in her film debut. A must see!

Rating:
Summary: Charles Boyer at his top
Review: The French biographer of Charles Boyer says : This is certainly one of Charles Boyer's best movies. Dramatic, mysterious as one can desire. Boyer plays perfectly with a wonderful, fresh and feminine Ingrid Bergman. To be looked at again and again...

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I first saw this moive about four years ago. I am still haunted at times by it, my house is much like the one in the moive, with old gas light fixtures have only been changed to electic. Brown outs are often but quick, lasting only long enough to notice. If you love old movies this is a must.