2. Vertigo is a film noir that was released in 1958. Vertigo followed a former detective named Scottie who was tricked by his friend and a con-woman. The con-woman (real name Judy) pretended to by friend’s wife and fake a suicide in a plot to murder the friend’s real wife. Scottie’s character followed Judy around town after being hired by his friend Gavin due to Gavin’s so-called suspicions of his wife having a possible mental illness.
The role that the women in this film had was being an image for men to view. Women in Vertigo are objectified and are there for the sole purpose of being looked at. The women in this Hitchcock film served the purpose of fulfilling the male gaze. For example, Scottie would follow Judy on the street, in a museum,
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Even before Scottie found out that Judy faked being Madeleine, he kept her around just to make Judy the splitting image of Madeleine simply to fulfill his pleasure and desire. He wanted to control and use Judy by making her look exactly how his former lover looked. He made her change her hair color, change her makeup, change her clothes, and made her go to the same places that she went to when she was pretending to be Madeleine. Judy complied to his wishes because she loved Scottie. “Scottie: Judy, I want to tell you: these few days have been the first happy days I've had in a year. “Judy: I know. Because I remind you of her. The one that's dead. And not even that, very much. Scottie: No, it's you too, Judy. Something in you…. Judy: You don't even want to touch me. Scottie: Yes. Yes, I do. Judy: Couldn't you like me, just me, the way I am?! When we first started out it was so good! We had fun! And you started on the clothes! I'll wear the darned clothes if you want me to! If you just like me! Scottie: The color of your hair... Judy: Ah, no! Scottie: Judy, please it can't matter to you... Judy: The trouble is, I'm gone now. For you. And I can't do anything about it. I want you to love me. If I let you change me, will that do it? If I do what you tell me, will you love me? Scottie: Yes. Judy: All right. Then I'll do it. Because I don't care about me