Greetings,
You know what's fun? Making people think that they're going crazy! Okay, it's not fun, and it's not nice. However, when done in cinematic form, it has the potential to be mesmerizing. Such is the case with what I will be discussing today, Gaslight. Now, cards on the table, the first time I ever heard of this movie was on an episode of Designing Women, wherein Suzanne Sugarbaker referred to it as "Gas Stove". Look, I just wanna always be honest with you, my beloved readers. Now let's get on with this.
Gaslight is a 1944 film directed by George Cukor and starring Ingrid Bergman as Paula, a woman who, as a child, witnessed a terrible crime committed against her aunt, a famous opera singer. As she gets older, she is sent to Italy to also train as an opera singer, trying to put her past behind her. Soon, she meets a man (don't they always!) named Gregory Anton played by Charles Boyer. They fall in love, get married and, at her new husband's request, they move into the London townhouse that her aunt left to her.
Though the move was meant to make her feel better, Paula begins to discover some unsettling things in her aunt's belongings, and her husband's demeanor toward her changes drastically. After a while, things begin to move and disappear, and sounds are heard from the attic, according to Paula. Oh, really? She heard something? You and Josh Gates, honey. Anyway, she also sees the gaslights dimming and brightening on their own. And, hence, our title. All the while, Gregory begins to keep her isolated from other people, for her own good, he tells her. Now, as someone who is so not a people person, this would kind of make Gregory my dream man. But, alas, Paula does not feel the same way. In fact, she begins to feel trapped in her own home and like she just might be losing her mind, and there are some people in her life who are more than happy to confirm that for her, whether it's true or not. All the while, we, the audience, are wondering who or what is tormenting this poor woman and what, if anything, can lead to her reprieve.
Oh, and there's also this obnoxious maid named Nancy, played by 18-year-old Angela Lansbury in her first role. I'm sure we will grow to love in later years. What's up, Jessica Fletcher?
Now, though I have told quite a few details about the plot, I haven't given too much away. However, I don't want to go any further, because I don't want to give away the ending. I mean, let's be honest, when it comes to films like this the endings are the best part. And in the case of Gaslight, it is one of the best of all time, in my humble opinion. It's also a movie that leads you on a journey with the characters, and the trip here is one worth taking.
What I love most about this film is the atmosphere, the mood that it sets. There are elements that one might find in a great scary movie, but it remains a psychological thriller and an intriguing mystery, through and through. I often wonder if it inspired another of my favorite movies from some time later, The Haunting. (No, not the remake! If anyone thought that, get out! Get out now and never come back!) Anyway...
But even with all these wonderful elements, I think we can all agree that what really makes this film sing is the performance of Ingrid Bergman. She was flat out brilliant, making us feel the weight every emotion that her character was experiencing. And it was a heavy weight, indeed, but in the hands of such a skilled actress, we were taken on this tumultuous ride with her. Ms. Bergman even won the Best Actress Academy Award for this...ya know, back when those things actually mattered.
So, if you're into films that are less horror and more, as I mentioned, psychological thrillers, I definitely suggest that you give Gaslight a watch. It's also great for mystery lovers, since it is one of those as well. And it's just a superb classic film for anyone who appreciates that.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
