Psycho

Cast: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Janet Leigh, Frank Albertson and Martin Balsam.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Release Date: 1960

Running Time: 1hr 48 minutes

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Rating: 15

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis:

A Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employers client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother

Psycho is a movie that everyone should see at least once in their life. Based on the novel of the same name by Robert Block, Alfred Hitchcock delivers us this wonderful masterpiece. I can be a little bit hit and miss when it comes to horror movies. I tend to find the majority of them an embarrassing mess. This movie however pleasantly surprised me upon first viewing. Secretary Marion Crane is on the run with $40,000 when she finds herself at Bates Motel, Norman Bates is an exceptionally complex character, his mother is manipulative and controlling, he hates her, yet at the same time worships the ground that she walks on. Norman Bates doesn't possess the typical behavior of a psychopathic killer that you'd probably find in most horror movies. In fact he appears pretty normal.

Psycho is a mystery as much as it is a horror film. Your lead to believe one thing when really something else is happening all together. Anthony Perkins delivers an outstanding performance as Norman Bates. Janet Leigh too delivers a very good performance as Marion Crane, she too has quite a complex personality, the relationship with her boyfriend isn't going as well as hoped and she spontaneously steals her clients money and goes on the run. It's never quite clear what struck the fear of God into her.  The best thing about this movie is the mystery behind the characters. Norman Bates is frightfully charming. Not unusual when it comes to most serial killers. Anthony Perkins characterization is exquisite.

Upon first viewing Bates Motel may remind you visually of "The Addams Family" mansion, again there's the wonderful mystery behind the Bates house. Does his mother really live there with him? Is it all a figment of his imagination? What are they both hiding? Although based on the novel, the script is very inventive, The dialogue between characters is great, Norman Bates could charm the pants off anyone, including local law enforcement Detective Milton Arbogast. Although "Psycho" is an old movie, it's beautifully shot. Alfred Hitchcock certainly had a way about his movies, the only thing that is a little bit off putting is there are a couple of scenes where they are some lovely close ups of an actor and you can see just the shoulder of the person next to her. The actors don't quite fit into the frame properly. I love that Hitchcock chose to just film the motel and nothing else, it really adds a sense of mystery to the film.

The soundtrack is a little bit eccentric at times, however it's what makes one scene in this movie particularly memorable. The score does work beautifully with scenes, Although it can seem a little bit amusing at times, it works perfectly for some truly suspenseful scenes. All of which you are never expecting to see. There are plenty of surprises in this movie. You'll convince yourself through out the whole movie that you know what's happening, only to be mistaken. Most horror movies these days are very predictable, making for a pretty boring experience for the audience, the best thing about Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" is you never see it coming. I can only imagine how good the novel is!

Psycho is a movie not to be missed! A more intellectual take on a horror movie. A masterpiece.

5/5 stars