Rating of
4/4
Psycho review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 09/16/11
My 2nd viewing of Psycho has never tainted my perception of its brilliance. Setting is in Phoenix Arizona, December 11 in the afternoon and with an unobtrusive relationship between Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) and Sam Loomis (John Gavin). Marion steals $40,000 from work and meets an eclectic Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), owner of a motel she is staying. An old woman murders her in the shower and her body is kept in a trunk of a car dragged under a swamp together with the cash. Marion's sister Lila (Vera Miles), Sam and private detective Milton Arbogast (Martin Balsam) who was hired by Marion’s employer try to search for her. Arbogast is likewise murdered by the old woman. A forensic psychiatrist Dr. Fred Richmond (Simon Oakland) explains the killer’s psyche and reasons for eradicating the people on the Motel. A few memorable lines: Norman Bates – “People always mean well. They cluck their thick tongues, and shake their heads and suggest, oh, so very delicately.” “We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?” Sam Loomis – “Here you are doing all the listening. You're alone here aren't you? Drive me crazy.”
The director is very impressive and adept when it comes to camera movements, cinematography and building suspense. His methods of building the thrilling scenes and making the audience use their imaginations in certain scenes. Screenplay is one of the best in the horror/suspense genre because of its thought-provoking undertones. Symbolisms of being deranged, peer pressure, dual personality, morality and persistence have been portrayed by the characters. Janet Leigh was exceptional especially her scene on the floor despite her evanescent moment on-screen. Anthony Perkins was likewise effective in his role as Norman Bates. Even the marketing based on the special features were brilliant since Hitchcock’s intent was to view the film from the beginning and that nobody should enter (jokingly noting that even the President of the USA and The Queen of England) and that those who have seen it should not divulge the details. Its content for the features is enough reason alone to make this part of your movie collection. The soundtrack is one of the most familiar and popular for a film. Psycho is a flawless masterfully crafted entertaining film that encompasses horror, mystery and a touch of humor.
