a friend once asked me what it meant to be 'gaslighted.' clearly, she had not seen the film. i am sure there are plenty films i have not seen where one person does their best to freak someone out, perhaps not in the same way as poor charles boyer. he was probably a very nice person, but onscreen he seems so untrustworthy.in 1944's remake of 'gaslight', he sweeps a young woman off her feet and marries her with the aim of claiming her inheritance, consisting of an english house on a square, where he believes valuable jewels are hidden. his new bride, exquisitely played by ingrid bergman, has no idea that there even are any jewels. she is very much in love and if it were not so pitiful to see his psychological manipulation of her, it might be funny. the guy is a true psycho.
ingrid bergman is more beautiful than ever in this role. as she dares to glance up at the sound of footsteps on the ceiling, as she fears to reach for something she 'knew' was there, you will want to ring boyer's neck. they are absolutely great together in this infuriating drama where one person's power over another is evil.
a very young angela landsbury is priceless as their maid and joseph cotton is a godsend as the man who proves ingrid sane.
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