Psycho Film Review

7.5/10

  While watching this Hitchcock classic, or any Hitchcock film for that matter, you can't help but notice a very distinct presence that is constantly evident throughout each and every one of his films. For lack of a better word, I will regard this distinct presence with the phrase "cool," because that's truly what it is. This Hitchcock thriller is "cool" for lack of a better word. I honestly can't see how someone can't, at the very least, be entertained by this film, let alone greatly dislike it. Granted this isn't, and never will be, one of my favorites, I wouldn't be able to blame someone for putting this film in that role.

  As Norman Bates, Anthony Perkins gives, possibly, one of the most memorable performances in the history of film, and the same can undoubtedly be said about Hitchcock's practically trademark directing. The plot twists and turns at the right moments, as should every thriller, and definitley has alot going for it as it progresses, though the film follows a very odd story structure that is not often seen in popular film. I am not particularly familiar with the Thriller film genre, as I do not especially like Thrillers, so I am not sure if the plot structure is more common in the Thriller genre, and cannot, therefore, give a great critical view on the matter, but despite that, I can definitley say that the plot is entertaining, but only contributes partly to what the film has going for it.

  Psycho will no doubt go down as one of the great Thrillers in film, and will do doubt be continually viewed by generations to come due to the masterful Hitchcockian directing, but I still have various problems with the film. For instance, the characters are very two-dimensional, which is incredibly odd, considering that one of them is supposed to be mentally and emotionally disturbed. The character arc of Marion is mundane, at best, but I suppose that's to be expected from a Thriller. I personally prefer much more developed characters, which is why I'm giving Psycho a 7.5/10. I admit it's probably not fair to judge a Thriller based on character development, but I can't help what I personally prefer.