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Gaslight (1944)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 3/16

Gas44
3/16: I decided to watch the 1944 version of Gaslight for Ingrid Bergman's sake because she won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

But it turns out to be overrated to the point of overacting. Ultimately, it's Charles Boyer's virtuosic performance that won me over. He's perfect as the master manipulator, using every psychology trick in the book to control his wife, hence the word "gaslighting."

Charles Boyer is effective from start to finish. However, every time he said something such as "You forgot your watch" or "You took down the painting," I was like, "Big fucking deal." So, the film is rather dated for this way as the technique is oft-repeated throughout.

As for the story, it's predictable with the mystery being figured out early due to the discovery of the damning letter and Gregory's subsequent reaction to it. The rest of the way becomes a question of when, not if, because of many dropped clues. If that's how the movie is going to be, then it should've been shorter in running length.

Of the cast, Angela Lansbury's slutty eyes is probably the reason for receiving an Oscar nomination in her screen debut, regardless of the fact that she's nothing special. Angela and Gregory Anton seem perfect together, suggesting something more which never materialized.

May Whitty's talkative character is unbearably annoying and is thankfully put out of the way for a while to allow me endure the film for as long as possible. In regard to Joseph Cotten's character, it's not clear to me what exactly he does do for a living. Is he a detective or a mere interested admirer?

All in all, Charles Boyer is the reason to watch the otherwise predictable remake version of Gaslight.