PSYCHO (1960) *** There is a certain look to Hitchcock films, and I don't think that any of them look more that way than this one. Not because the Hitchcock touch is so constantly in your face, it's not, but in some part because of the space between. So, the Hitchcock "look" is in part dependent on rhythm and spacing? Yes, I think so, if only in terms of impact this sort of thing can't be rendered onto stills. There's nearly as much suspense generated by the short drive from town (Mort Mills' shades!) as there is by the lead-in to the climactic scenes. Janet Leigh's shower scene is worthy of comparison to its legend, but the best one for me was her arrival at the Bates Motel, and particularly the slight action in and around the house. There may have been noises, too, officer, I don't know, I was entranced. The truth of the matter is that there probably isn't much for Joe Contempo Filmviewer until half way through the film: back in the day they were no doubt scandalized by adultery and embezzlement, but these days not so much. The parlor dialogue between Janet and Anthony Perkins is so awkward that it's true, and I'm not doing anything original in applauding Anthony's performance throughout. Actually, Hitch gets a lot more out of Janet than others directors do, as well. She's sympathetic and credible, and unless you're a strict constructionist of Leviticus her plight is difficult to justify. Worthy of its legend, and not without a macabre element of humor.
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