MOVIE REVIEW - Hitchcock

In limited release is the new Anthony Hopkins flick, Hitchcock.    It as it would be, this is a story about film making great Alfred Hitchcock at the time he was making his classic, Psycho in 1959 and 1960.

This film deals with Hitchcock's absolute obsession with making what would become the groundbreaking horror flick.  Psycho of course, was a different kind of movie for the era, basically becoming the first "slasher" flick.  Although it is incredibly tame by today's standards, it was huge at the time and scared people to death.  But the classic shower scene still holds up well as far as begin scary is concerned.  Psycho changed movies forever in numerous ways, and Hitchcock was the one bold enough to know that this was to become more than just a movie.

Hopkins is great as Hitchcock in about every way.  He looks like the icon, and sounds like him too.  In this picture he is in conflict with his wife Alma (Helen Mirren).   They have been married for decades, and she of course is a screenwriter in Hollywood too.  There are years of resentment, and jealousy coming to a head as Alfred becomes incredibly obsessed with this picture and it's young and beautiful star, Janet Leigh (Scarlett Johansson). 

Even though they let us in on some of the nuances behind the making of  Psycho, this movie is generally about how making this movie affected his personal life with Alma.  This is not a "trivia" movie. Yes, they address some of the roadblocks and secrets associated with Psycho.  One slight bombshell for some may be that the book Psycho was actually based in part, on a true story from Wisconsin.  But Psycho was not  completely true, but based on real a real guy arrested by terrible crimes named Ed Gein.

This is a very nice picture that hopefully will find some success.  It boasts a great cast that also has Jessica Biel as Vera Miles (also in Psycho)  and Toni Collette as Hitchcock's trusted assistant, Peggy.  Collette is terrific in her small role, as are Johansson and Biel.   Through the magic of makeup and costuming, these women are transported back in time and look stunningly authentic as 1960 ish Hollywood beauties.  They each own small roles that they really took charge of.  All very good.   Johansson and Biel both look amazingly like Leigh and Miles.  

I can't think of a movie that Helen Mirren has made lately that she hasn't been great in.  She and Hopkins give command performances here and develop a wonderful chemistry that is palpable.  Both are outstanding.  This move also sports a respectable supporting cast, and really terrific sets and costuming.   I always think it's fun to be sent back to the golden Hollywood age in movies when done well, and this is.  This movie is quick and tidy at 95 minutes and very well conceived and edited.  Just like a real Hitchcock movie from his era.

Hitchcock. There is nothing not to love about this movie.