Review of Frenzy (2015) by Nicholas M — 03 Apr 2008

Albeit not as glorious as Hitch's classical psychological thrillers like "North by Northwest", "Vertigo", "Psycho", "The Birds", "Dial M For Murder" and "Rear Window"; "Frenzy" has its own charm and beauty and should be regarded as Hitch's last great achievement in the twilight of a brilliant career.

The premise of the film is nothing new: a case of mistaken identity. A man wrongfully accused of serial murders, and he must uncover the truth about the killings and clear his name. In "The 39 Steps", "North by Northwest", "Young and Innocent", "The Wrong Man" and "Saboteur" we saw a similar theme. But, at least one factor makes "Frenzy" so worthwhile: this is Hitchcock's first and only film to be given an 'R' rating by the MPAA during his 51-year long career.

In earlier works, Hitch generally preferred to imply violence rather than openly showing it on the screen, leaving enough room for viewer's imagination. But, in "Frenzy" there are flagrant displays of lurid violence, especially the first murder scene, which plays on themes of explicit and prolonged rape, and slow strangulation. Also, the moment in the rear of a potato truck during which the "Necktie Killer" attempts to wrench the evidence off the corpses' hand by breaking her fingers stiffened by rigor mortis. It has good thrilling elements as well as Hitch's patented ghoulish humor. Just like famous shower scene of "Psycho", this is one of the most memorable scenes in Hitch's career.

Yeah, "Frenzy" has unsympathetic characters played by unknown and non-Hollywood-type cast, no beautiful locations, no icy blondes, no romances, no high dramas, no MacGuffins... It is neither atmospheric nor mysterious, yet it has a realistic feeling that works on numerous different levels. Recommended...