Writing by Meghan Smith, Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Alfred Hitchcock shocked audiences with his classic mystery film “Psycho” as he used his technical skills to direct the viewer in a specific way. He deliberately filmed this movie to appear cheap and a bit underwhelming. Despite the realistic approach to this film, it is full of twists and turns that prove to be deeply disturbing and maybe even before its time.
The theme of secrecy begins right away in the movie and continues throughout. The camera effects allow the viewer to get a sense of strange realism that only adds to the suspense. There are long pauses with no dialogue throughout the movie which are almost bothersome, because it allows the viewer to experience these scenes for themselves. There are moments throughout the film of just the sound of rain or footsteps. These scenes are strange and unnerving.
Anthony Perkins does a superb job of playing the title role, Norman Bates. The role is complex and based around secrecy. After Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) encounters him at Bates Motel, he does something odd. He gives the viewer reasons to identify with him. Bates acts innocent and lonely. It even affects Marion so much that she shares a meal with him. Throughout this meal, the viewer can tell that there is something off. He shares his dreams and aspirations and then in the next scene is spying on Marion showering through the peephole in the wall. This strange character development is done on purpose. Viewers now have empathy for Bates. He even takes on the role of the protagonist at one point, and the viewer wants what he wants. This is brilliant character development.
The plot is set up in a way that the viewer feels like they know what the conflict is, but often they are wrong. It begins with issues surrounding money and theft. Later, the conflict switches to law enforcement becoming suspicious. It seems as though the film will continue down these paths, but the conflict has nothing to do with either of these issues. Hitchcock sets these up throughout the movie, but we don’t actually see the real conflict until the end. The end reveals Bates’ secrets that center around mental illness. It is revealed that secrecy was the conflict around all of these circumstances.
The ending is edgy and underwhelming. It makes the film almost seem unfinished in a horrific way. The discovery of the deaths is revealed and then skipped over as the film ends with a lecture about mental illness. The credits roll while the viewer is still on the edge of their seat, waiting.
