1)I definitely see early Hitchcock touch here, well for one there's heavy emphasis on the blonde protagonist. For two the way the opening shot is upwards this appears in many of Hitchcock's later films. For three you can feel the troublesome dilemma the main blonde female character is going through.
2) Yes, I agree with them, again elements of despire and conflict see above.
3)I don't feel there was a restriction because of no dialogue. I think it portrays what it means in the actions, shots, and music.
