Psycho

Rating: 10/10 (12 April 2011)

Psycho is probably my all time favourite horror film next to Halloween (1978) and the original Night of the Living Dead. What this movie managed to do at that time in the 60's was remarkable. There had never been anything like this made up to that point. It's the start of a great sub genre known as the "slasher film". The story is of a troubled man named Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) and a woman on the run named Marion Crane (Janet Leigh). Marion leads an unfulfilled life and one day decides to embezzle $40,000 from her employer. While on the run, she stops off at the infamous Bates Motel to think things over and get some rest. While taking a shower, an unseen assailant who resembles a large woman attacks her with a knife, killing her. We soon are led to believe it's Norman's mother who committed the crime. It's then we see Norman cover it up for her. Many people question the whereabouts of Marion over the next few days including her boyfriend and sister. They, with the help of a private investigator, discover she was at the Bates Motel. But when entering the house up on the hill behind the motel, the discovery they make is much more chilling then could ever be imagined.
Psycho is an all time classic by suspense and psychological icon Alfred Hitchcock. This was definitely his best work. The Birds was also excellent as was Rear Window, but this will always be his best known piece - and for good reason. The performances by Perkins and Leigh in particular was very understated and very well done. Watching it the first time, you really are drawn into the story and the mystery of the crimes taking place. Of course, after a few viewings you know the plot and the killer's identity. This is one of those horror movies that never gets old to me and never feels boring. Each time I watch it, I pick up something new. I liked Janet Leigh's character and her struggle with the embezzlement scheme. She knows what she did was wrong and contemplates taking the money back numerous times. It gives her that human quality and makes viewers feel bad for her in the end.
The musical score is legendary as well, even if you've never seen Psycho, you know that sharp grating music that goes along with each suspenseful moment. Psycho is a classic horror film, but not just horror. Even the people who hate horror should see this at least once for it's brilliance.
10/10