Hitchcock (2012 movie)- Review

Directed by: Sacha Gervasi
Released: 2012
Country: United States

Genres: Biographical-Drama

Main cast: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Toni Colette, Danny Huston, Jessica Biel, James D'Arcy, Michael Stuhlbarg, Ralph Macchio, Michael Wincott

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

Alfred Hitchcock, one of the best film directors ever. If you ask people what their favorite Hitchcock movie is, most of them will reply either ''Vertigo'' or ''Psycho''. ''Hitchcock'', directed by Sacha Gervasi and based on the book ''Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho'' by Stephen Rebello, tells the story of how Alfred Hitchcock came up with the thought to make ''Psycho'', a controversial project, how he made it, what happened, along with the story of Hitchcock's relationship with his wife, Alma Reville. It proves to be one of the best films of 2012.

If you ask me who my favorite directors are, the first name that would come to my mind is Alfred Hitchcock. Who can forget films like ''Vertigo'', ''Psycho'' or ''North by Northwest''? It was a delight to see a movie about this great figure in cinematic history. Not only is it a movie showing us about the making of ''Psycho'' and about Hitchcock himself, but it also is a superbly well-made film, witty at times and heartwarming at others.

The film starts in 1959. Alfred Hitchcock (played by Anthony Hopkins), now sixty years old, has made loads of successful movies. His wife, Alma Reville (Helen Mirren), has always helped him. But then there are questions of his retirement because of his age. He is deciding to make a movie. He decides to adapt the horror novel ''Psycho'' by Robert Bloch. Because it is violent, bloody, horrific, and for some other reasons, Paramount denies to finance the film. Hitchcock decides to finance the movie himself. 

Then starts the filming for ''Psycho'', now considered not only to be one of the greatest horror films of all time, but also one of the greatest films of all time. Scarlett Johansson plays Janet Leigh, the talented actress who played Marion Crane. Jessica Biel is present as Vera Miles, who played Marion's sister. And then there is James D'Arcy, playing Anthony Perkins. (I was surprised seeing the resemblance between Perkins and D'Arcy). We see the troubles the crew faced during the filming, how they brought the difficult parts to screen, and with a terrifically excellent performance from the actors and of course, the screenplay, ''Hitchcock'' does it's best!

Other than the making of ''Psycho'', another thing that is given importance is the relationship between Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma Reville. The relationship is sort of complicated.  I won't like to go in details as they might be spoilers. The star of the film is Helen Mirren, bringing in life the pains of the character. 

I advise you that before seeing''Hitchcock'', please watch ''Psycho'', because there may be spoilers of Psycho in ''Hitchcock''. ''Hitchcock'' is a beautifully made motion picture, excellent and truly fascinating, one of the best films of 2012.

4.5 out of 5