I honestly wish
this film had been nominated for more awards. And definitely bigger things than
hair and makeup. But I mean, I do get it. Anthony Hopkins. Helen Mirren. It
would be a surprise if the film didn’t turn out as well as it did. Plus, I
don’t know, maybe audiences in general are getting a tad bit jaded about films
about filmmaking. But you know, I think these films are important. It’s
important for films to talk about their own history. And as far as history
goes, it doesn’t get bigger than Alfred Hitchcock.
History in
the making he may have been, but that did not mean life with Hitchcock was
easy. And his beloved wife Alma Reville could testify to that fact. Temperamental
and obsessive while he was working on a project, depressed and dejected when he
wasn’t working on one, it falls to Alma to ensure the household (and often the
studio) runs to order. It is 1959, and Hitchcock – Hitch as he is more commonly
known – may just have struck gold while looking for his new project. An
innocuous little horror story called Psycho, based largely on the murders
committed by the notorious serial killer Ed Gein. The thing is, Hitch seems to be the only
person who can see it. Even his beloved wife Alma has her doubts as to whether
this story of blood and gore can be turned into anything tasteful. Or
successful. That the studios would actually agree to distribute. But Hitch is adamant and filming goes full
steam ahead amidst grave economic gambles. However there is more serious trouble
afoot. While Alma’s love and dedication to Hitch seems to continue unabated,
there is no denying that she is more and more distant these days. And that she
is spending more and more time with her friend Mr Whytfield Cook whom she is
helping with his latest project. Hitch is worried, distracted even. Not a good thing when you have mortgaged your
home to make a film that the studio still hasn’t given their final word on
distributing. Is this Hitch’s finest hour? Or will he loose his marriage and
his career in one fell swoop?
Now, I like
films like this. I like films about marriages. Hollywood is funny in the sense
that actually getting into a relationship is often portrayed as the only really
difficult part. Once you get the person of your dreams, we are told, it’s all
roses and light until death does you part… Err, no. It takes a lot to make a
relationship work and a marriage. And even if, like Alfred Hitchcock and Alma
Reville, you have been together for 30 years, well guess what; there can still
be hitches (pun intended). There can still be pitfalls. And, strangely, it is
these pitfalls one must be afraid of. At the beginning there is the rush. You
know that rush of emotion, of “something new”. 30 years later, routine is
setting in alongside love. You really, really begin to know what it is like to
live with this person. It’s when stuff happens to shake the marriage at this
point that you should be concerned. And this is what gives the film its
brilliant edge. Because yes it’s absolutely fascinating to watch Psycho come
together. Especially if, like me, you’re a film-buff AND Hitchcock fan. But at the end of the day, we know what
happened there. It’s Psycho for God’s sake. It’s one of the most famous films
in history. What we may or may not know, however, is how and whether this film
ended Mr Hitchcock’s marriage. And that,
gentle viewer, you are going to have to watch and find out for yourself.
Told with
great affection and a lot of (albeit rather British) humour, Hitchcock will
warm you down to the cockles of your heart. And give you a history lesson in
cinematic history to boot. I men come on. It is one of the greatest films in
history…
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