168: Gaslight

US  114m  Dir: George Cukor  Key Cast: Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer

Based on: Gas Light by Patrick Hamilton (Play)

Not many films can claim to be the inspiration for a new word. Gaslighting, (verb), to psychologically manipulate (a person) usually over an extended period of time so that the victim questions the validity of their own thoughts or perception of reality. 

Though the phrase has only become more common in the last few years it can be traced back to this film. Paula (Ingrid Bergman) is manipulated by her husband Gregory (Charles Boyer) into believing that she is descending into insanity. It's all an elaborate plan to find some jewels belonging to Paula's opera singer aunt who Gregory murdered but was interrupted before he could find them. Fortunately detective Brian Cameron (Joseph Cotten) stumbles on Paula and investigates what Gregory is up to. 

Gregory is surely one of cinema's greatest screen villains. The murder before the film starts is pretty unpleasant but his elaborate plan to seduce Paula and then over time convince her she is going insane is so cruel unpleasant. He's also really good at it and were it not for Brian bumping into them during a day trip he would likely have got away with it. Boyer's performance is great, turning from hugely charming to utterly terrifying. 

It's Bergman though who is perhaps most impressive and she deservedly won the Best Actress Oscar for this performance. She really sells the idea that this woman could be manipulated in this way and is utterly devastated by it. The highlight though comes at the end when Paula has discovered what Gregory is up to but it appears like she might release him thanks to his silver-tongue. Instead she turns his scheme against him, saying she isn't sure if the knife in her hand is real or not. It's a brilliant moment of this character winning, taking all the trauma she has suffered and throwing it right into the tormenter's face. Bergman is incredible throughout this film but that scene is something really special. 

I can't help but think that Gregory's plan was a little too elaborate. He successfully broke into the house once in order to kill the aunt and was interrupted but then the house was left empty for ages- surely that was his perfect opportunity to break in again and take as long as he needed to search the house. I can't help but think he actually enjoys the manipulation she does and the power he ends up having over Paula. He had various options to achieve his goals but he deliberately chose the most villainous. 

A great film with a perfect script and stunning performances all round. This is one that still stands up remarkably well.