Psycho (1960) Dir: Alfred Hitchcock
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Few films can claim to be as iconic and integral to the world of cinema and classic Hollywood as Alfred Hitchcock's most famous thriller. Be it the legendary bathroom scene, or the film's final, big twist, there are just so many reasons why this classic horror has become an integral part of cinema and pop culture history.
The story is enticing, mysterious and truly thrilling. It has a steady but enthralling pace that leads its audience along a winding path of suspense, before springing shock after shock - each hitting phenomenally well. Even after watching the film multiple times, it's easy to appreciate how well the narrative was built and told, as well as how masterfully those shocks are delivered.
People don't talk enough about the soundtrack to this film. It's excellent. It builds huge levels of suspense, even in earlier, less tense scenes. The soundtrack is a vital element of the film's ability to raise tension in the audience.
Furthermore, some of the camera shots were truly ahead of their time. Hitchcock is renowned for his use of camera, and his work in this film is no exception. Some of the shots may seem relatively simple by today's standards, but they were so unique back in 1960, and they still look excellent now.
Anthony Perkins gives an all-time great performance, not only for the subtle execution of his character's persona, but also for how believable and natural he feels as well. He was so memorable here, and truly defined himself as one of cinema's most iconic horror characters.
Janet Leigh was magnificent in her starring role. She plays her character perfectly, and makes for an intriguing protagonist, thanks to some succinct and confident acting. Her performance was so strong, and was made truly iconic by her character's role in the film.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the performances of Vera Miles, John Gavin and Martin Balsam, who were all very strong in their key roles. I was especially fond of Miles, who really stood out.
Overall, it's clear to see why this is so acclaimed and so loved. It was a huge success upon its release, and still stands up brilliantly even now, over sixty years later. I adore this thriller, and this most recent viewing only reaffirmed that feeling, as well as the notion that I should rewatch it more often.
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