Why the suspense movie that gave rise to the words “Gaslight” and “gaslighting” became a masterpiece

Reversing an actor's physical characteristics

Director George Cukor said of Ingrid Bergman's role as Paula, who is preyed upon by her husband: "What's interesting is that she wasn't usually timid, she was just a wholesome, cheerful woman. It was interesting to have an actor like that play a woman who was scared and jumpy, and that in itself was a drama. ``There was something so interesting about it'' (`` George Cukor talks about movies '').

True to her words, Ingrid Bergman's healthy image made Paula's fear of being cornered even more prominent. Abuse does not occur because the victim is weak and unreliable. Abuse means that no matter how strong a woman is, if she falls into the trap of a despicable abuser, she will be unable to escape. Boyer, who is originally from France and has an elegant manner and tone, perfectly embodies the terrifying duality of a man who appears to be kind and dignified but is actually a perpetrator of domestic violence.

"Gaslight" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

According to Bergman's autobiography, `` My Story, '' there are some interesting anecdotes about the physical characteristics of the two actors. In Hollywood at the time, it was common for the man in a relationship to be taller than the woman, but Bergman was clearly taller than Boyer. There, Bergman had to perform a kissing scene with Boyer on a small wooden box, and both had to fight to hold back their laughter at the ridiculousness of the scene.

In terms of height differences, the composition of the indoor conversation scene between the couple is also interesting. In the house where the two live, Paula, played by Bergman, often takes a higher position. When Paula climbs the stairs, Gregory calls out to her from below. When Gregory sits down on the piano chair, Paula stands next to him and looks down at him as they talk. Although the wife maintains a superior position, she is always under the control of her husband. The reversal of the composition emphasizes the ominousness. The production, which takes advantage of the height differences between the actors, comes to life beautifully in the final scene. Paula stands proudly in front of her husband, who is tied to a chair, and yells at him from above. She has finally regained the power commensurate with her position.