~*Psycho*~

Loony, nuts, mad, insane, crazed, maniacal, deranged, disturbed....PSYCHO. One of the first horror films and also one of the first films to really expose psychotic behaviors. The psychopathic life has always been a mystery to us. The topic seems to invoke fear in people. The 1960's film was based on the book Psycho, written by Robert Bloch. The book was inspired by the crimes of Ed Gein, a serial killer from Wisconsin. Because of this, audiences were even more frightened. It wasn't just a movie, but almost a reality. Alfred Hitchcock directed the film and explored the realm of psychotic behaviors. Psycho defined film through, what appeared to be vulgarity at the time. It was a great film full of symbolism, anticipation, twists and excellent acting. Therefore, I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It was excellent and almost flawless.

First of all, the symbolism in this movie was very intersting. Throughout the movie there are little things that foreshadow and make the show twist into a different direction. The movie starts out with Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) talking with her boyfriend, about their future and how they could make things work to be together. Marion then ends up going to work and gets $10,000 put in her hand to deposit for her business. She gets an idea and moves quickly. She swiftly packed her things and headed out of town in hopes of using the money to have a life with her boyfriend. She encounters troubles when it starts to storm so she conveniently finds the Bates Motel. Up until this point, Alfred Hitchcock really made you feel rushed and scared in anticipation because of the music and the screen shots. You felt like she was always going to get caught, even when she was just driving down the road. This makes you think that the story is all about her and the stolen money, but the movie quickly twists and you realize that the Bates Motel and the owner have a much more important role. You first meet Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), a bachelor who lives with his mother and owns a run down hotel. That night after Marion talked to Norman, he left and she was murdered in her shower. The rest of the movie you try and figure out who killed her and if Normans mother is the killer or even exists.

The acting in this film was very impressive. Anthony Perkins really brought out the creeper psycho feeling of the film. He captured that akward, creepy feeling, that set off the horror of the film. Marion crane (Janet Leigh) was also a great actor in the film. She could bring out the antsy hurried feeling and you just seemed to like her from the beginning.

The infamous shower scene was also very intense. It left you with an unsafe akward feeling. Still, you were left with a sense of awe. The way it was played and the sudden nature of it really captivated you. Every second and movement was perfectly filmed and the whole scene was loaded with symbolism.

Overall, it was a great film. It had amazing acting. The actors totally gave it their all and really showed the personalities and feelings of each character. Psycho kept you on your seat with the anticipation, convincing actors, great storyline and twists. 5 out of 5, this movie was very well done.

Cast
Anthony Perkins...............Norman Bates

Vera Miles........................Lila Crane

John Gavin......................Sam Loomis

Martin Balsam..............Milton Arbogast

John McIntire................Deputy Sheriff Al Chambers

Simon Oakland...............Dr. Fred Richmond

Vaughn Taylor...................George Lowery

Frank Albertson................Tom Cassidy

Lurene Tuttle................Mrs. Chambers

Patricia Hitchcock..............Caroline (as Pat Hitchcock)

John Anderson....................California Charlie

Mort Mills........................Highway Patrol Officer

Janet Leigh......................Marion Crane