Psycho Review

Written by: Moviemaven   

What can I say about a frame by frame remake of a Hitchcock classic? Plenty. For one, why bother? If you are unfamiliar with the story, I will gladly clue you in. Marion Crane (Heche) is having an affair with a man that can't marry her. So she swipes some money from work on the spur of the moment and heads to sunny California to be with her man. On the way, she stops at a roadside motel for the night. There she meets the quiet proprietor Norman Bates (Vaughn). He seems pleasant enough and offers to share his dinner with her. They talk for a while and Marion begins to feel guilty about what she has done. She resigns to make right her crime and head back the next day. But before she can cash in on her newfound philosophy, she gets whacked in the shower.

A detective has been hot on her tail for the missing loot and is soon joined by Marion's sister and her boyfriend Sam (Mortensen) who suspect Norman and think his reclusive mother may have some answers. All of this leads to what should have been the pulse-pounding climax when we find out more about Norman than we bargained for. But this newer version falls short. Why? Cause it ain't Hitchcock, that's why.

There was no need to redo what had already been done by the master. Did watching it in color make it better? Nope. I would trade all the food coloring and Karo syrup in the world for a drainful of Alfred's chocolate syrup. Did knowing that Norman masturbated while peeping make it better? Nope. I love Vince Vaughn but this creepiness made me momentarily rethink my loyalty. I think we all know why boys peep at girls. Not necessary to show it.

Overall view? Why bother? In short, if you want to see A psycho, see me after viewing this film. If you want to see THE Psycho, watch Hitchcock's version. In the words of the song: Nobody does it better... Still, the story is a great one based on the novel by Robert Bloch. And a slew of good actors pull it off in spite of me. Therein lies what's good about it.