Hitchcock USA 2012 – 98min.

Movie Rating

Hitchcock

Movie Rating: Constantin Xenakis

Against all advice, Alfred Hitchcock decides to direct a small movie called “Psycho”.

1959: At age 60 and despite commercial successes like Vertigo and North By Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock is not recognized for his talent by the industry or the media. Adding to his frustration are his thirst for food and alcohol, as well as the fear of being left by women in general and his wife in particular. When he finds an obscure book about a serial killer, Hitchcock decides to adapt it for his next film. Unfortunately his entourage thinks the material is not worthy of his talent, Paramount refuses to finance the project and the American censors threaten to block the movie's release if a naked woman appears in a shower scene. Hitchcock and his wife and collaborator Alma – whom he suspects of infidelity – decide to mortgage their home and finance the movie themselves – one that sets the cornerstone for horror flicks and becomes one of the masterpieces of cinema.

In its portrayal of the making of Psycho and its close look at the director's life during that time, the film is similar to My Week With Marilyn. In a cool 1950'/60's movie setting, it dissects the weaknesses of one of film's greatest icons. The retro stage seems peopled with a selection of stars from Madame Toussauds whose dirty secrets are revealed in forensic detail. After the tragically unbalanced Marilyn Monroe comes the unveiling of Alfred Hitchock. A fascinating look at cinematic history... for movie buffs or those at least over 50!

19.02.2021

4

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