Psycho
(1960)
Rated: R
Runtime: 1 Hour and 49 Minutes
Reviewer: Jones
Grade: A"Psycho" is one of those movies that could have been a big letdown. It could have failed in every way imaginable after all of the praise that has been heaped upon it over the years. It could have been all these things and then some, but in the end this film is so masterfully executed that no amount of hype could ever bring this movie down.
Until I watched "Psycho" I had never seen an Alfred Hitchcock film before. If the rest are even remotely close to being as good as this film, then I can see what all of the Hitchcock hoopla is about.
"Psycho" is, quite simply, a movie about a female embezzler who doesn't make it to the next morning after she rents a motel room on the wrong side of Hell. The motel is looked after by a sheltered young man by the name of Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). He attempts to befriend the young motel patron by making her dinner and providing conversation. Norman's mom is not amused by the situation and takes matters into her own hands that night in the form of the infamous shower scene. Norman attempts to cover up for his mother's act of aggression by hiding the body in a nearby swamp. After the young lady's disappearance people come looking for her and Norman's story begins to take on water. It all culminates in a chilling finale at the Bates' residence.
"Psycho" is a fluidly woven tapestry of haunting suspense and enrapturing mystery. It is not the horror film that it is made out to be. Rather, it is a spellbinding journey into the depths of despair that are magically brought to life by Anthony Perkins in the role of Norman Bates.
All of the performances are rock solid, but Perkins' performance is mesmerizing to say the least. He says so much with his demeanor. He conveys the impression of a timid young man on the outside, while being deeply conflicted on the inside. Perkins brings Norman Bates to life through his masterful use of body language. He says more with his eyes in one scene than he does with his entire dialogue for the film. Always fidgeting and stuttering when he speaks makes Bates feel like a real person. The type of person who could be jockeying the register at your local convenience store. He is the sort of person you might see in a dream. Alive, but not alive at the same time.
The other highpoint of the film is the cinematography. Every shot is taken to it's maximum. The lighting is perfect. The editing is perfect. Innovative shots are put to use by Hitchcock.
The one that stands out for me is when Norman and his mother are arguing. The camera starts out at the bottom of the staircase and slowly makes it's way upstairs,as the conversation continues, until it rests staring straight down from above the doorway of the room where Norman and his mother are carrying on their conversation. It then sits and waits for Norman to exit the room with his mother. It is one of those shots that you can't get out of your head. You keep replaying it in your mind over and over.
After a slow start, this film baits the hook and reels you in like few other films of this nature are capable of. It is not so much a horror movie, as it is a well crafted mystery of suspenseful proportions. I would liken it to something like "The Silence of the Lambs". It combines the thrills you would expect with a plot that will keep you riveted to the screen as the closing credits roll.
Despite the hype and overblown expectations that this film carries, it managed to exceed all my hopes for it, as well as demolishing any suspected flaws I felt the film might have.
It is the film that it is said to be and then some.