

Marion is then seemingly set up as the center of the movie as she thinks she has found a solution to her problems - a felonious one. He doesn't even have a proper home - just a room in the back of the store he owns. Hitchcock and Janet Leigh did a brilliant job of pulling us into Marion Crane's story, that of a woman in love with a divorced man who might as well be married considering his heavy financial obligations that leave him unable to marry in a practical sense even though he can in a legal sense. The opening scene with Janet Leigh and John Gavin in the hotel room was amazing and (pardon the cliché) so real. Unfortunately, for most viewers, the big surprises are not possible since so many of the scenes are part of our popular culture.There were, however, so many unexpected surprises. It would have been nice to have experienced the film without any knowledge of the plot twists. This is the rare example of a much-ballyhooed film that is truly deserving of all the hype surrounding it. from the first time I saw it at age 14 until today whenever I run across it. Reviewed by AlsExGal 10 / 10 Always holds me from beginning to end. Many people here think this is Hitchcock's greatest film. I love it and look forward to seeing it again. I went 35 years between showings but now have watched this five times in the past four years. When Balsam is attacked, the accompanying frightening music never fails to bring chills down my spine. On the DVD, the blacks, whites and grays are just super and the famous house next to the Bates Motel never looked better. I wonder if this isn't Hitchcock's best job of directing as his camera angles and lighting are outstanding.

Each time, I appreciate John Russell's camera-work and Hitchcock's direction more and more. I bought this on VHS when it became available on widescreen. What makes me really enjoy this movie is the cinematography. However, it isn't just Perkins' film the supporting is just fine with Leigh, whose figure is still awesome no matter how many times you see it Martin Balsam as the private detective Vera Miles and John Gavin. "Norman" is a nutcase, as it turns out and the more you know all about him, the more fun it is to study Perkins and his character "Norman" in subsequent viewings. "Norman Bates" is one of the most famous fictional names in film history, thanks to this film and the great work portraying him by Anthony Perkins. Also, this movie doesn't have the shock value today for audiences, either, not after years of Freddie Krueger-type blood-and-guts seen in the past 30 years.īut, what you WILL see in this movie is (1) superb acting (2) a fascinating lead character (3) excellent photography, and (4) a bizarre story. A generation back, movie makers tended to build up characters and suspense, so there was a lot more storytelling and less action than you see today. I mention the lack of action, and blood, too, because younger people who might be watching this for the first time are not going to see the kind of horror film they're accustomed to seeing. It has become my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie, along with Rear Window. Basically, that was about it, action-wise, BUT I have no complaints because the more I watch this film, the more I like it. Of course, I was young and more impressionable so I guess I just remembered those few dramatic, sensational scenes such as Janet Leigh murdered in the shower and the quick other murder at the top of the stairs. When I watched this for the first time in over 30 years, I was surprised how little action there was since I had remembered this as some intense horror movie. Reviewed by ccthemovieman-1 10 / 10 The More I See This, The Better It Gets The motel is managed by a quiet young man called Norman who seems to be dominated by his mother. Tired after the long drive and caught in a storm, she gets off the main highway and pulls into the Bates Motel. Seeing the opportunity to take the money and start a new life, Marion leaves town and heads towards Sam's California store. One Friday, Marion is trusted to bank forty thousand dollars by her employer. She has to meet her lover Sam in lunch breaks, and they cannot get married because Sam has to give most of his money away in alimony. Phoenix office worker Marion Crane is fed up with the way life has treated her.
