Review of Hitchcock (2012) by Jesse O — 24 Apr 2013
I thought the performances were easily the best part of the film. Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren deliver top-notch performances. But while the film is certainly intriguing and interesting, there's just something missing.
That little extra oomph that would've taken it to the next level. I liked that the film focused on a lot of different aspects of Hitchcock's personality. His obsession with blondes, his relationship with his wife, how he reacts to his wife working on another man's script and how that interjects itself into the filming of Psycho, and his hallucinating about Ed Gein and how he, in a way, tries to control the part of his personality that could become Ed Gein.
This all sounds fine and dandy until you see the movie. It's just very inconsistent. I realize, at least as far as the movie is concerned, this all has an effect on Hitchcock and his approach to Psycho, but that doesn't mean it feels organic or natural.
It just feels like a bunch of different movies spliced together. It's not supposed to be like that, it's supposed to show Hitch's weakening mental state as he's making the film with which he'd be most associated with.
The best part of the film is, clearly, the relationship between Alma and Alfred. This is due to the top-notch acting from both Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren. The 'romance' between the two isn't outstanding or anything you haven't seen before but the acting more than makes up for it.
The make-up and set design is also pretty wonderful, it looks like these characters just walked out of the 60s. Special mention, OBVIOUSLY, has to go to the make-up work done on Hopkins. The resemblance to Hitchcock is uncanny and while there are some occasions where it doesn't look great, I think the majority of the times it looks amazing.
The film is competently shot, Sacha Gervasi, does a solid job. Nothing outstanding, but he's competent. Overall, this is a good movie. A little disappointing given the subject matter but this is a more than solid rental.
This review of Hitchcock (2012) was written by Jesse O on 24 Apr 2013.
Hitchcock has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
