Psycho

Starring: Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
1960

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Marion Crane (Anne Heche) steals $40,000 from her boss and flees towards California. She stops at the Bates Motel, owned by Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), who isn't what he appears.

Review:

Tim: Psycho is one of the all time horror classics. It's so well known, in fact, that I knew pretty much the whole story before I even watched it. I wasn't purposely looking for spoilers, but this film is so integrated into the movie-going public's consciousness that it's impossible to see this movie completely unaware. I can't imagine how powerful and frightening this film would have been in 1960, when audiences had no idea what to expect. I loved the film, but I lament the fact that I couldn't watch this movie completely free of expectation. I probably would have loved it even more in that case.

The reason this movie is so superb is due to Alfred Hitchcock. There's really no where else you can start. The man was a masterful director, and he set out to do something different with this film. He achieved that end. Shooting the film in black and white was brilliant. I'll never forget the claustrophobic feeling of the bathroom- it was so small, so intimate. The movie's most infamous scene takes place here, and the white walls and tub make those images even more unforgettable. I loved how this film looked, and I loved the different camera angles Hitchcock used to keep the audience off balance.

The cast is good. Janet Leigh was fairly enjoyable as Marion Crane. I don't love her as an actress, but I can't imagine anyone else in this role. She is iconic here. Anthony Perkins is terrific as the psychotic Norman Bates. I loved how he looked so unassuming and fragile, while having a bubbling, chaotic psychosis inside of him. He makes Bates such a chilling, unforgettable villain. He was quite good. Vera Miles was fine as Marion's sister. I did not especially care for John Gavin, but he wasn't horrible.

One of my favorite aspects of this film is the stealing of the money. Marion Crane is a complex character, but I loved that our main protagonist was no angel. It makes for such an interesting movie, but it also throws the audience off. We spent the early part of the film watching the theft and her escape- and Hitchcock wisely ensures these scenes are incredibly suspenseful. The cop that pulls her over, her close encounter at the car lot, her inability to see through the rain while driving- these all suggest the film is going in one direction. It felt like we cared about this flawed character, but wondered if she would get caught or get away with the money. And then, she takes a detour to the Bates Motel, and the movie changes tone. It felt like Bates himself interrupted the movie we were supposed to be watching, and single-handedly turned a thriller into a horror film. I loved how Hitchcock let that happen on screen.

I do want to discuss the shower scene, so if you haven't seen the film, some spoilers ahead. This is the most iconic, frightening, memorable image of the whole film. It was masterfully shot and edited, and it's very creepy. Yet, what surprised me the most was where it took place in the film. For some reason, I always assumed it happened at the end. This was the genius of the scene, how it completely altered the scope of the movie. It was so unexpected, it's no wonder audiences were left reeling.

Psycho is truly a great movie. While watching it, it held me in rapt attention. It just feels like a truly important movie- not just because people have said so, but because every frame and line and shot is important. Alfred Hitchcock truly created a landmark film here, and it's no wonder it has stood the test of time.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Psycho (1998), The Birds, Rebecca, Rear Window