The film “Hitchcock”: A look at the birth of “Psycho”

“Good afternoon.” Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 masterpiece, Psycho is arguably the best thriller in the history of filmmaking. But how did it all start?

The film, Hitchcock looks at how the director, played by Anthony Hopkins, turned what could have been his first step into "professional suicide," into a leap toward legendary Hollywood status. Desperate for a new project that would blow Hollywood out of the (bath)water, Mr. Hitchcock finds the book, Psycho and sets his sights on turning it into his next film.

Hitchcock also delves further into the director’s relationship with his brutally honest wife and professional sounding board, Alma Reville, played by Helen Mirren. And with every new project comes casting. Who will play the flawed “bird,” Marion “Crane”? Hitch and his wife decide to have dinner with the actress Janet Leigh, played by Scarlett (“I’m not exactly boyish”) Johansson.

(A major side note: The actor, James D’Arcy—who starred as the Duke of Windsor in Madonna’s W./E.—plays fumbling motel owner, Norman Bates. Great casting just for facial structure alone.)

The movie looks to be a must for any fan of films and filmmaking—and the forthcoming Oscar race. Can’t wait to know even more about “the great and glorious genius Alfred Hitchcock.” Hitchcock is being released on November 23. BSo