Psycho: The Hitchcockian classic based on Robert Bloch's semi-biographical novel. (Halloween reviews)

Today, I look at the classic psychological horror film from Alfred Hitchcock, the "Master of Suspense". (Contains a spoiler.)

Psycho:
Marion Crane is having an affair with a divorcee named Sam Loomis, and when her boss entrusts her with a client's cash, she decides to steal it. After skipping town, she comes across a place for her to stay: the shadowy Bates Motel, run by the awkward and shy but kind and handsome Norman Bates, who lives with his controlling and bitter mother, who lives in their manor up on a hill behind the motel. Marion is killed by the mother, and Norman tries to cover it up, but when Marion's peers come looking for her, he and his mother are forced to keep them from finding the truth, using any means necessary. Based on Robert Bloch's hit thriller novel, which in turn was partially based on murderer and grave robber Ed Gein (the inspiration for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs), Hitchcock's classic psychological thriller/horror film may be a bit overrated, but it is really good. It has a fantastic and iconic theme by Bernard Hermann, a great cast (featuring stars such as Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins), fantastic writing, and some excellent suspense. It also is considered one of the most shocking films of all time, as it was considered gruesome and violent for the time, and killing off the lead actress halfway through. Hitchcock even ensured that no one would enter the film late so that they wouldn't be confused why Leigh wasn't in it, which I thought was ridiculous as she wasn't killed off until the 48-minure mark, and I doubt people would enter a movie nearly an hour late. Perkins is sympathetic as Norman, but also unsettling and creepy at times. This was a surprise at the time, as he was known for his "boy next door"-type roles, nobody expected him to be so effective as the mentally troubled mama's boy. The ending twist is really good, but it's kind of ruined by being over-explained in the film's final scene, although the final shot is haunting. Janet Leigh can be considered the first "scream queen", and her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis became the star of John Carpenter's classic slasher film Halloween. Psycho became the inspiration for all psychological thrillers and slasher films to follow, and it shows. It's a classic of modern cinema, and is one of the most influential films of all time, it's got a great music score, cast, and story, and it's worth at least a few viewings. 4/5 stars.

 (Image: Wikipedia)