Under different circumstances, Psycho could very well have become a victim of Joel Hodgson’s Mystery Science Theater 3000 [1]or just some B-movie we rent for a laugh. Instead, Psycho is recognized as a significant work in the history of American film. Psycho is, after all, on the American Film Institute’s (AFI) 100 Year...100 Movies list[2]. Clearly, Psycho’s strong, captivating plot and stunning cinematography played a critical role in it making the list.
For me, however, Hitchcock’s greatest achievement in Psycho is the acting. Anthony Perkins’s (Norman Bates) performance in particular is sheer genius. Till the very end Perkins instills fear and suspicion in the audience yet, he never gives himself away. In fact, I would go as far as to say that even if the plot and technique were not as strong as they are, Perkins’s performance would still carry the Film.
Finally, it seems safe to say that most individuals who have seen their share of horror/thrillers will agree: many horror films, especially more contemporary ones, rely too heavily on violent and graphic images rather than allowing the viewer’s imagination contribute to the intended impact of a particularly chilling scene or the film as a whole. In other words, subtly is that fine line between mere shock value and a truly frightening scene. Apparently our friend Alfred Hitchcock knew this as well, which is why Psycho, even with its 1960s special effects, surpasses many of today’s popular horror/thrillers.
[1] Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K): Joel Hodgson’s 1988 comedy television series which was “always about one thing: making fun of bad movies” Cornell, Chris & Henry, Brian. "Mystery Science Theater 3000 FAQ." www.mst3kinfo.com. 1992. Best Brains Inc.
4 comments:
You write: "many horror films, especially more contemporary ones, rely too heavily on violent and graphic images rather than allowing the viewer’s imagination contribute to the intended impact of a particularly chilling scene or the film as a whole." And I say "amen." I think this is the core of Hitchcock's success (and not just his--there are many other directors dedicated to making movies that fully capitalize on the audience's intelligence and imagination).
But HOW does he do it?
Well Niamh, thanks for your post. Considering that you're fairly familiar the AFI's 100 Year...100 Movies list, I can't help but be a little surprised that you aren't familiar with the criteria used to evaluate films that make the cut. Ticket sales are hardly the determining factor. Otherwise Free Willy might be up there with Psycho and Citizen Kane. Sure it had high ticket sales and it probably is related to the level of audience bordom, but I can't say I've ever heard of a deconstruction of Free Wully. Have you? In any case, I'm sorry if I gave the impression that Psycho's box office success is the only indication of its significance.
Getting back to Bro k'Mansky...I guess leaving it at Hitchcock's got skills is not an acceptable answer. Although I do think that's part of it. I did read that Hitchcock and Joseph Stefano were unsatified with Norman Bates' character as portrayed in the novel and so they reinvented his creepiness into a more subtle, "sympathetic," socially awkward guy. I think that helped the plot a great deal.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psycho_(1960_film)#cite_note-Leigh-4)
(yes, I'm embarassed to admitt that I read it on wikipedia, but the quote is from a legit book on Psycho).
In terms of the violent scenes, I think Hitchcock partly got lucky that he made Psycho in the 1960s when censorship was stricter. As a result the violence seems more meaningful than that of a slasher movie.
For me, the difference between a movie like psycho and a poorly done
horror movie is comparable to eating spicy food: I love it but not if it's so hot that the spiciness detrects from all the other flavors and all I can think about is how my mouth is burning. In the same way, Hitchcock's use of sublty allows the viewer to appriciate all the other elements in the story and come away with more than just the "shower scene" or Arbogast's murder.
I wish we could use wikipedia as a quote but its ok (hopefully ill have an article on myself one day). joy i like reading your blogs and I agree with you when you say that Perkins carries the movie forward.
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