As we all know, Hitchcock is the master of American Hollywood thriller and suspense, and directed many well-known movies. "Psycho" is one of its most famous works, and the recently released film "Hitchcock" is based on the birth of this film.
I believe that many fans who watch "Hitchcock" are going to Hitchcock and "Psycho", and I also believe that if there is no compact and just right violin soundtrack in this film, there will be only Hitchcock fans can watch it patiently, let alone watch it three or four times. But if you really watch it three or four times, you'll see that it's not just about Hitchcock and Psycho.
Let's talk about the plot of the movie "Hitchcock" first: After Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" was released, praise continued. However, Hitchcock was not satisfied with the current achievements and status. He is reluctant to repeat his own style and routines, let alone accept the old, but wants to re-experience the passion for exploring and innovating shooting methods when he was young. Soon, he discovered that a novel called "Psycho" was inspired by the serial murders that shocked the country at the time. Hitchcock was very interested in it and was determined to make it into a movie. However, except for his wife Elma, almost no one was optimistic about the subject, and Hollywood Paramount Pictures did not support it. In desperation, Hitchcock mortgaged his house and swimming pool, raised funds, and persuaded Paramount as its issuer. While Hitchcock was busy casting and filming Psycho, Elma helped her old friend Werther revise the novel while working on the ending of the Psycho script. During this period of time, the two had an emotional conflict. Later, Hitchcock fell ill because of overwork and mental stress. For the smooth progress of "Psycho", Elma returned to the studio instead of Hitchcock to host Filming work. Then Hitchcock found out that Irma had been meeting with Werther on the beach, and had a fight with Irma. Irma defended herself, which made Hitchcock realize that he was ignoring Irma's personal feelings And Elma apologised for her sacrifices. After "Psycho" was finished, Paramount was not satisfied with the samples. Hitchcock was very disappointed. Fortunately, Elma stepped forward and edited the film together with Hitchcock, accompanied by a piece of music, which brought the film back to life. After the film was released, it was a huge success. Since then, "Psycho" has become one of Hitchcock's most famous films, and his relationship with his wife, Alma, has been reconciled as before.
If you are careful, there are two main narrative lines in this film, one is the difficulties and efforts that Hitchcock overcame to film "Psycho", and the other is the relationship between Hitchcock and his wife Alma crisis.
In order to express the first narrative main line, the film reproduces the style of Paramount, the studio and editing room of "Psycho", and narrates the whole process in a sequential manner, such as communicating with Paramount about investment and distribution. , accept the supervision and questioning of film censors, casting, swearing, shooting, finalizing, watching samples, re-editing, accepting final review, distribution promotion and release, etc. In order to make the second narrative mainline more full and interesting, the director obviously tried his best. Elma supported Hitchcock to mortgage the house and swimming pool to raise funds. However, during the casting process, due to Hitchcock's obsession with blondes, Elma was emotionally stimulated, and at this time, her friend Werther invited Elma revises the novel for it, and Elma readily agrees. Because the two often revise novels in a cottage by the beach, Hitchcock is jealous and has an emotional conflict with Elma. When Hitchcock complained that Irma didn't fully support her film career, Irma's remarks made Hitchcock apologetic. Later, with the help of Elma, "Psycho" came back to life, and it was a huge success when it was released, and the two got back together.
Regarding the relationship between the two, the director used the swimming pool as a metaphor for the emotional development of the two. Before deciding to shoot "Psycho", Elma often swam in the pool, implying that the two had a good relationship. Later, in order to raise funds, the swimming pool was mortgaged. During this period, Elma was jealous because of the casting. She bought a bright red swimsuit and swam in the swimming pool. She seemed to want to regain the passion and vitality of her youth. , suggesting that Elma is emotionally stimulated and wants to regain Hitchcock's loving gaze. Later, the two clashed because of emotional problems. Hitchcock found the swimming pool in a mess, suggesting that the relationship between the two was in crisis. However, after the great success of "Psycho", Hitchcock said in the narration that they took the Back to the house and the swimming pool, the swimming pool is clean and tidy again, suggesting that the two are back together.
It is also worth noting that in order to express Hitchcock's pressure and mood, the director integrated Hitchcock into some scenes of "Psycho" and communicated with the male protagonist. Hitchcock's nightmare hints at the great pressure Hitchcock is under; Ed Guyon reminds Hitchcock to check the floor of the room, hinting at the emotional crisis Hitchcock is going through. The director uses this surreal expression to assist the narrative and development of the two main lines.
It can be said that the biggest attraction of this film is the emotional entanglement between Hitchcock and Elma. The birth of "Psycho" is the crystallization of their feelings. Yes, both of them have worked hard all their lives for the film career, and in order to fully support Hitchcock, Elma has silently paid 30 years of years and sweat behind him. For them, the film is like a child. When the rapid violin ensemble sounded in the editing room, when feeling nervous and excited, the audience vaguely felt that the sound was somewhat similar to the first cry of a baby. After the premiere, Elma said to Hitchcock, honey, this may be the greatest success of your career, and Hitchcock replied: Our business. This is yet another success of their collaboration, a baby child who has brought them great glory. It can be said that without Elma's support, "Psycho" could not have achieved such a huge success, and it can even be said that without Elma's full support, Hitchcock's life could not have achieved such a brilliant artistic achievement , Hitchcock acknowledged this when he accepted the Motion Picture Association of America Lifetime Achievement Award. This is exactly the sentence: behind every successful man, there is always a woman standing.
Therefore, the protagonist of this film is not so much Hitchcock as it is Elma, and in terms of acting skills, Helen Mirren, the actor who plays Elma, is indeed slightly better, no matter its aura. Or glamour, above Hitchcock's Anthony Hopkins actor.
However, the shortcoming of this film is that about Hitchcock's ambiguous relationship with the actress, the film is only hinted through a few scenes, and it is not so detailed and full, so the stimulation received by Elma makes The audience didn't feel that strong and full. Perhaps, this was deliberately done because the director had concerns.
Speaking of the best scene in the film, Hitchcock was in the studio at the premiere of Psycho, dancing to the music of the film, yeah, that kind of focus, that kind of confidence, that kind of Pride, that kind of madness, only Hitchcock could do.
PS:
1. The appearance of Scarlett Johansson is really eye-catching. The gorgeous costumes, the swaying hem, the close-up camera, and the moving music of the party, work together and are amazing.
2. The crow that appears on Hitchcock's shoulder at the end of the credits implies that Hitchcock's inspiration is fleeting.
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