It’s here where Bergman, in the first of her three Best Actress Oscar wins, excels without duff histrionics. We witness Paula come apart, her mind fractured, so vulnerable and confused, you would have to have a heart of stone not to have your very core ache. Then as the second half happens upon us it really hits the diabolical straps, the methodical manoeuvres of Gregory Anton really start to gnaw away at our senses. Deft psychological touches are being played out, though wonderfully we never actually see the misdirection machinations actually being done. Pic is split into two halves, first half is the set-up of a whirlwind romance that leads to marriage, then the move to the marital home and support characters - nosy neighbour (Whitty), housekeeper (Everest), tart housemaid (Lansbury on debut) - are introduced to proceedings. It’s still a terrific atmospheric thriller anyway, played out to a magnificent backdrop of Victorian London, of fogs and cobbled streets, and of course gas lights and eerie shadows. ![]() Even the terminology of very real life instances such as Gaslighted/Gaslighting have been born out from the pic, so if it is thought of being dated or old hat, its influence is still quite considerable. The psychological thriller – specifically that of a spouse being tormented by their partner – has been mined for all its worth - and will continue to do so. For it holds up now as something of a torch igniter for what has followed over the decades. ![]() You really have to put into context just how great Gaslight is as per the time it was released. However, what at first seems to be an idyllic marriage begins to crumble as Paula appears to be losing her mind… Years after her aunt was murdered in her London home, Paula Alquist Anton (Bergman) moves back there with her new husband, Gregory Anton (Boyer). Music is by Bronislaw Kaper and cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg. It stars Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotton, May Whitty, Barbara Everest and Angela Lansbury. ![]() Gaslight is directed by George Cukor and is adapted to screenplay from Patrick Hamilton’s play by John Van Druten, Walter Reisch and John L. I knew from the first moment I saw you that you were dangerous to her. Reviewed by John Chard 9 / 10 Reviewed on June 09, 2019, Sun at 07:28 PM
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