When a film has had books written soley to discuss and analyze it's subjects and themes, one feels a little unsure of what to say about this film. It's probably fair to say Psycho has been over-analyzed as a film, as many are, but the subtle touches remain.
The film opens in Phoenix, AZ on a warm December morning. The opening overview of the city is apparently designed to make you feel as though you're being watched. Suddenly we're in a hotel room where we find Marion Crane and her lover Sam Loomis (A name we'd hear again) finishing fornication. Marion is tired of life and see's no concrete future with Sam. At the same time he is paying alimony to an ex-wife whilst still paying his deceased father's debts. They just don't have enough money to break away from their unhappy lives.
That is until she is entrusted to deposit $40,000 cash by her boss. Suddenly she has a solution to her and Sam's problems. She flees the city. The change of scenery from big city to open rural area is deliberate, designed to make the viewer feel less secure. Suddenly Marion seems more vulnerable than ever as well. The music that plays as she makes her journey to the Bates Motel is mindtwisting and extremely tense. On her journey we see Marion lie her way through two situations and we watch her do so in clumsy fashion. Her guilt is obvious as is the fact she has no idea what she's gotten herself into. This allows us to feel sympathy for her.
Enter the Bates Motel. Anthony Perkins was the only big name actor chosen for this film by Hitchcock and the choice proves invaluable. The dinner conversation scene with Norman Bates and Marion Crane is superb, from design to dialogue and of course acting. Norman explains his life to Marion, and it's easy to feel akward while listening to him. Marion realizes how Norman's life is essentially a trap, one that he's gotten used to. She understands now not to become trapped and decides to return to Phoenix the next morning and straighten things out. The scene, after having the film build tension brilliantly, lowers it right away. This is apparently done to enhance the impending shock to the audience. Marion enters the shower, cleansing herself, seemingly reborn as the fresh clean water pours over her. She is a new person. Then she is attacked and killed brutally.
This first half of Psycho is an introduction to the rest of the film, however this intro is more important than what remains after Marion's death. Psycho is in many respects, an art film. Art house film if you will. The Citizen Kane of horror films. It's reputation is built on it's opening. The second half, though still grand, doesn't pack the same punch as the first. Psycho's most memorable scenes are early on. Still there are some interesting moments that merit mention.
As Norman covers up for "Mother" and pushes Marion's car into a swamp, we watch it slowly sink. Suddenly it stops, the car roof still exposed. We feel worried for Norman and the tension in that one brief moment before it continues to sink is higher than the tension in MOST films that have been made. Perhaps it's Norman's plight, his struggle which allows us to sympathize.
The Bates House apparently represents 3 stages of Psychosis or something to that effect, because it has 3 floors. That, I suppose is for the viewer to decide, but personally I think it's just a house.
The toilet being shown may be the first in a mainstream film. It certainly was the first time America got to hear a toilet flush on the big screen however....
It's interesting to consider the number of references to birds throughout the film. The film opens with a bird's eye view in the city of PHOENIX. Our main character Marion CRANE, not to mention all the stuffed birds in Norman's parlour. Was Hitchcock trying to send us a message? Like maybe what his next film was going to be about? Just a theory on my part.
As previously stated, there are many underlying themes of Psycho, far too much for one review to contain. Many of them are only interpreted and completley speculative. It's therefore not important to discuss any of them. This is a review site, not a book after all.
Psycho is truly Cinematic art, perhaps not a true film of the fantastic but more one of brutal reality. A slasher film that comes off as totally believable with no glaring flaws. We can however relate Psycho to what we consider fantastic and this art house film is one I consider essential to review. Few movies can twist one's emotions and security the way Psycho does through it's musical score, and a rare trait, as that combined with the more minor yet brilliant touches to this film places Psycho in it's own company. One of the ten best films ever made and the forerunner of so much carnage to come, Psycho is one of the most inspirational and important works of art this world has ever seen. Five Stars out of Five.
The film opens in Phoenix, AZ on a warm December morning. The opening overview of the city is apparently designed to make you feel as though you're being watched. Suddenly we're in a hotel room where we find Marion Crane and her lover Sam Loomis (A name we'd hear again) finishing fornication. Marion is tired of life and see's no concrete future with Sam. At the same time he is paying alimony to an ex-wife whilst still paying his deceased father's debts. They just don't have enough money to break away from their unhappy lives.
That is until she is entrusted to deposit $40,000 cash by her boss. Suddenly she has a solution to her and Sam's problems. She flees the city. The change of scenery from big city to open rural area is deliberate, designed to make the viewer feel less secure. Suddenly Marion seems more vulnerable than ever as well. The music that plays as she makes her journey to the Bates Motel is mindtwisting and extremely tense. On her journey we see Marion lie her way through two situations and we watch her do so in clumsy fashion. Her guilt is obvious as is the fact she has no idea what she's gotten herself into. This allows us to feel sympathy for her.
Enter the Bates Motel. Anthony Perkins was the only big name actor chosen for this film by Hitchcock and the choice proves invaluable. The dinner conversation scene with Norman Bates and Marion Crane is superb, from design to dialogue and of course acting. Norman explains his life to Marion, and it's easy to feel akward while listening to him. Marion realizes how Norman's life is essentially a trap, one that he's gotten used to. She understands now not to become trapped and decides to return to Phoenix the next morning and straighten things out. The scene, after having the film build tension brilliantly, lowers it right away. This is apparently done to enhance the impending shock to the audience. Marion enters the shower, cleansing herself, seemingly reborn as the fresh clean water pours over her. She is a new person. Then she is attacked and killed brutally.
This first half of Psycho is an introduction to the rest of the film, however this intro is more important than what remains after Marion's death. Psycho is in many respects, an art film. Art house film if you will. The Citizen Kane of horror films. It's reputation is built on it's opening. The second half, though still grand, doesn't pack the same punch as the first. Psycho's most memorable scenes are early on. Still there are some interesting moments that merit mention.
As Norman covers up for "Mother" and pushes Marion's car into a swamp, we watch it slowly sink. Suddenly it stops, the car roof still exposed. We feel worried for Norman and the tension in that one brief moment before it continues to sink is higher than the tension in MOST films that have been made. Perhaps it's Norman's plight, his struggle which allows us to sympathize.
The Bates House apparently represents 3 stages of Psychosis or something to that effect, because it has 3 floors. That, I suppose is for the viewer to decide, but personally I think it's just a house.
The toilet being shown may be the first in a mainstream film. It certainly was the first time America got to hear a toilet flush on the big screen however....
It's interesting to consider the number of references to birds throughout the film. The film opens with a bird's eye view in the city of PHOENIX. Our main character Marion CRANE, not to mention all the stuffed birds in Norman's parlour. Was Hitchcock trying to send us a message? Like maybe what his next film was going to be about? Just a theory on my part.
As previously stated, there are many underlying themes of Psycho, far too much for one review to contain. Many of them are only interpreted and completley speculative. It's therefore not important to discuss any of them. This is a review site, not a book after all.
Psycho is truly Cinematic art, perhaps not a true film of the fantastic but more one of brutal reality. A slasher film that comes off as totally believable with no glaring flaws. We can however relate Psycho to what we consider fantastic and this art house film is one I consider essential to review. Few movies can twist one's emotions and security the way Psycho does through it's musical score, and a rare trait, as that combined with the more minor yet brilliant touches to this film places Psycho in it's own company. One of the ten best films ever made and the forerunner of so much carnage to come, Psycho is one of the most inspirational and important works of art this world has ever seen. Five Stars out of Five.
I'm waiting for this review.... :P
ReplyDeleteGreat review, dude! You do a really good job of explaining why this film is one of the best. A lot of times I find it difficult to articulate this information, so I enjoy reading it. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's a great film that deserves an in-depth review.
ReplyDeleteI Can't wait to read THE MOMENT OF PSYCHO: HOW HITCHCOCK TAUGHT AMERICA TO LOVE MURDER. But as you can imagine, books are way overpriced...
Sounds like one I need to pick up too!
ReplyDelete