I’ve been thinking about Vertigo quite a bit lately, mostly because I’ve been trying to find something decent to say about it. It’s been especially difficult as this is my first experience with Hitchcock, and it was everything I thought it would be and so much more. So needless to say, I really enjoyed it. Obviously there’s lots of doubling in the film, but there’s some tripling too, thanks to Midge and her portrait. Midge’s role is the one that intrigues me most, and I’ve been trying to figure out her role in the film. She starts out as a potential love interest for Scottie, but it quickly becomes clear she won’t fulfill that role. One thing I did notice was that as she’s leaving the hospital after Scottie’s mental breakdown she’s framed in front of a window with a large white building behind it. As the camera pulls out and looses focus, it looks like Midge is standing in front of a white tower, not unlike the “steeple” Madeline throws herself out of. The bars of the window also create a cross-like image, calling Christ and self-sacrifice to mind. This is particularly intriguing to me as we never see Midge again – this is her one big moment. So what’s the deal? Does she sacrifice herself for Scottie? Does her relationship with him push her over the edge like it finally does with Judy (though her final jump might not be his fault)? It’s hard to say as Hitchcock doesn’t give us much to go on, but I think this scene gives us something to go on. I’m not really sure what it’s implying though – I hope not that Midge throws herself off a tower, because I really like her.