Wednesday Movie Night: Hitchcock (2012)

Hitchcock didn't quite have the critics raving, and I can imagine when you try to take on one of the most popular director's life you're going to get a lot of feedback that is mixed especially if you're movie doesn't portray all the nice aspects of him.This movie though only explores a certain part of Hitchcock's life as he makes one of his most memorable films, Psycho. It's also very short with only a run time of 98 minutes. Sacha Gervasi directs.

When Alred is leaving his premiere of North by Northwest a journalist mentions to Hitchcock that it might be time to retire, and instead of pondering his age he feels instead insulted and more desperate than ever to make his next hit. Alma is the wife that ever supporting despite the tasks and attention he might give other women while filming, especially since Hitchock was known for having a special interest in casting young blondes as his leads. When Hitchcock begins to have physical setbacks during filming his wife steps up to show her love for him and her support by helping finish it out.


While hardcore Hitchcock fans might not like this movie because it may have some inaccuracies others might be able to treat it as just a story and enjoy it. I thought the idea of making it into a love story from Hitchcock's life was rather sweet, and it sort of gives his wife, Alma, the spotlight when most people haven't even heard her name.

There is also a string of good acting in the movie that does strengthen it. Anthony Hopkins takes on the role as Alred Hitchcock and does a remarkable job. Besides the make up you wouldn't even know it is him because he fully immerses himself in the role. Also, Helen Mirren stars as Alma, and she brings out a strong and feminine side of the wife people aren't too familiar with. She is very likable and her love for her husband definitely shows through.

There is also Scarlett Johansson as the Psycho leading lady, Janet Leigh. Scarlett really fits the idea of an actress from that time, and I don't think she got enough credit for her acting in this movie. Jessica Biel is Vera  Miles, and so far I'm still not sold on her as an actress. Most people though might question whether they need to watch Psycho before watching this, and while I enjoyed it not having seen the movie it probably would have helped me feel some sort of closer tie to it if I had. Then again I might have learned too much about the movie therefore taking away from the movie some.

You might not care too much for it if you're a hardcore fan of his, and it also only focuses on a small portion of the very long career of Hitchcock. He made many developments in film and this only chronicles one fram of that though it is one of his most popular movies. It's also a very short run time so you may not feel you have enough character development for a movie that seems to pull off that. You have great acting though and a very visually pleasing movie.

Rating 7 of 10.