PSYCHO is undoubtedly Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous and successful film..a powerful psychological thriller which heralded the era of ’’slasher’’ movies the world over. Its one of the scariest, creepiest and terrifying movies ever made. Its bleak and very dark in its theme and psychological problems like greed, lust, mother-fixation, fear and scarred childhood is explored in the movie to varying degrees. Its a movie that is so utterly compelling in its narration and execution that people still think about its (in)famous shower scene when they step in for a shower in a hotel..checking if the door is securely locked!!! well thats the PSYCHO effect..
Hitchcock was a master manipulator of human emotions..in fact he is still unparalleled when it comes to accurately reading the audience’s mind..he believed that whats not shown on screen is more frightening for the audience than whats actually shown..He uses this to brilliant effect in PSYCHO-holding you by the scruff of your neck from the moment Janet Leigh runs away with her office’s money which she is supposed to deposit..the way her guilt trip is depicted after that, is seen to be believed..her nervousness..her edginess..her hallucinations and FEAR is palpable..
She stops for the night in a far-flung, almost abandoned, desolate motel calledBATES MOTEL which is owned and managed by Norman Bates(Anthony Perkins in a chillingly brilliant performance which typecast him for life).Norman Bates almost gleefully declares that his motel is completely vacant.She checks in..has dinner with the shy but genial Norman Bates..retires for the night...steps in for a SHOWER......and then....and then...we see in sheer horror- the most terrifying, spine-chilling, shocking murder scene ever filmed to the accompaniment of Bernard Hermann’s memorable screeching violin tune..Sorry!!have to stop here..can’t tell u anymore without spoiling the FUN..The rest of the film is for you to watch and ENJOY!!!
PSYCHO is a classic not only because of the above scene but its the way the whole film is structured and narrated.The manner in which Hitchcock builds up your anticipation for most of the scenes is amazing..the razor sharp editing helps him a great deal in that and so does the brilliant music which is absolutely awe-inspiring in the way, it invokes so much dread and forewarning for some terrible event.
Psycho is a black-n-white movie and thank god for that as it adds so much to the movie in terms of atmosphere and the omnipresent, ominous menace of the film.Check the silhouette of Norman Bates’s gloomy, spooky mansion against the dark sky...and the staircase scene!!!
Psycho works not just as a horror movie (Fans of tomato pulp kinda horror be warned that I m not talking about ’that’ genre of ’horror’ films) but also as a study of our darkest emotions.A film which was made around 45 years back still has the power to terrify and shock audiences..tells a lot about the compelling power of the movie..The scenes of the film continue to live inside our memories!!!
And for all those who have watched the remake of PSYCHO made in 1998..my sympathies:) as watching the remake of PSYCHO is akin to being promised a trip to Switzerland and being taken to Mahabaleshwar instead..no offence meant to Mahabaleshwar whatsoever...
Watch the real thing guys and you will know why HITCHCOCK was the greatest when it came to suspenseful films and DON’’T WATCH IT ALONE..and that reminds me that I am very much alone right now..and only writing about PSYCHO is now giving me the creeps!!!
P.S-I and my friend Vivian always wondered why the Mcdonalds joint near the bus station in Edinburgh had the PSYCHO music for its timer..wonder why;)
CHEERS!!!