Review of Psycho (1960) by Edward C — 29 Oct 2013

Psycho(1960).

Starring:Anthony Perkins,Janet Leigh,Vera Miles,John Gavin,Martin Baslsam,John Mdntire,Simon Oaxland.

Directed By:Alfred Hitchcock.

My Review.

"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".

This is a game changer in horror especially if it involves a crime like murder and characters who are out to know the truth. This was actually based on a novel which is what viewers don't know before seeing this film. I understood why Alfred Hitchcock was the suspense master when I first saw Rear Window. But as I watched this I like to think that he was also a master of horror.

In Psycho you have your main character played by Janet Leigh try to run away with forty million dollars and is looking suspicious to a cop who stops by her twice She buys or rents a new car and wishes to rest, at the Bates Motel ruined by Norman Bates. When Marion ends up dead it's up to her sister(Vera Miles) and her boyfriend(John Gavin) to find out what happen.

Psycho continues to work as a frightening,insinuating thriller. That's largely because of Hitchcock's artistry in two areas that are not as obvious:the set up of the Marion Crane story,and the relationship between Marion and Norman(Anthony Perkins).Both these elements work because Hitchcock devotes his full attention and skill to treating them as if they will be developed for the entire picture.

Watching the shower scene in this generation of horror films,something stands out. Psycho never shows the knife striking the flesh. There are no wounds,just blood. I find that along with it's intense soundtrack when the killing comes as something that should be utilized more in film. I give this classic horror/suspense film a five out of five.