Review of Hitchcock (2012) by Jerem M — 25 Apr 2013

The career of Alfred Hitchcock is truly something to behold. The man was a genius. However, when a movie is made depicting the late director, it kind of smells like Oscar whoredom. Anthony Hopkins (Thor) was cast as the titular director, playing the man during the filming of his brilliant 'Psycho'.

His performance is top-knotch, as is Helen Mirren's ("Glee"), in the role of his wife, Alma Reville. Scarlett Johansson (The Avengers), Jessica Biel (Playing for Keeps), James D'Arcy (Exorcist: The Beginning) bring the cast of 'Psycho' to life, while Danny Houston (Wrath of the Titans), Toni Collette (Fright Night), Michael Stuhlbarg (Lincoln), Kurtwood Smith (Cedar Rapids), and Michael Wincott (Alien: Resurrection) fill smaller roles.

Really, it was just Hopkins, Mirren, and Johansson that got any real payoff, but only Mirren seemed authentic. The production values were there, but I do find it intriguing that Fox released this picture that revolves around Hitchcock's relationship with Paramount.

The makeup department was the department that got all the credit - and an Oscar nomination - for good reason. They transformed Hopkins into Hitchcock, but makeup only does so much. Fortunately, Hopkins was up to the task, despite some narrative issues.

Having come from a director (Sacha Gervasi) with few titles under his belt, it could have been much worse. It's not truly memorable, but worse Oscar whoredoms have been sat through. It'll probably make you want to review Hitchcock's films, though.