My regular readers will know that I have had the honour to see some of Alfred Hitchcock's films on the big screen, as they were intended. It has mostly been his more popular and well known films but is still a great opportunity to see his work the way it is intended. I really admire him as a director and he is definitely a skilled film maker. When watching his films you know you are in the hands of a master. Someone who knows how to tell a story and make his audience react in just the right way. Of the films of his that I have seen, 'Psycho' would be my favourite.
From what I know about Alfred Hitchcock he was not just a film maker but a showman as well. Unlike most directors today, Hitchcock put himself front and centre in the promotions of his films. He also hosted a TV series so he knew how to perform. This means he was ripe for a film about his life. He has however led a very long and interesting life so to fully do it justice would mean making a mini-series as opposed to one feature length film. It was more appropriate to do a segment of his life. Hitch went through many obstacles while making 'Psycho'. Even though he was at the height of his powers no one wanted him to make a horror film. Especially one the way he wanted to make it. Professionally his life was struggling but he was also struggling personally as well. The film also focuses on his relationship with his wife Alma. I think film fans are going to be disappointed with the film because it does not go into as much depth about Hitchcock's life as you might want it to. I love films about film making so I found it interesting on that level. But I think to make the film more accessible to a wider audience the makers of this film have added in the relationship element. While that is a nice element to have because Alma seemed to be very influential in advising Hitch on his films and the way they were made, but This film does it in a lighthearted way. I feel that if the film was done with a more serious tone then it would have been much better. I will admit that it can be very funny at times and Hitch can be very witty, but overall I think it would have been better served to make it more serious.
Anthony Hopkins is one of those actors that get absorbed in the characters he plays and there is no exception here. You really feel like he is the real Alfred Hitchcock. I do think the make-up lets him down on a few occasions but he still gives an excellent performance. Helen Mirren is another actress who is awesome in everything. She is excellent here and plays a very nice foil to Anthony. Their witty banter is the film's highlight. The rest of the cast are very good as well but don't have very effective roles. Scarlett Johansson is sweet as Janet Leigh. Toni Collette is also very good.
A good film but perhaps not the greatest. You will now doubt be more forgiving if you are not a film buff. Film buffs will probably be very disappointed as it lacks the detail you would want for a biography of a film maker like this.
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