Now Playing

Here's a look at "Hitchcock."


Hitchcock
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Danny Huston, and Scarlett Johansson
Synopsis: Today, “Psycho” is considered a masterpiece. There are a number of elements about that film — released in 1960 — that are considered genius, and the film is on the list of the greatest films ever made. All of which makes it fascinating to think that, when legendary director Alfred Hitchcock proposed making it, “Psycho” was considered an enormous gamble. The studio didn’t want to fund it, Hitchcock had to mortgage his house to make it and the studio didn’t even want to really release it. Today, “Psycho” is considered the greatest film made by, perhaps, our greatest filmmaker. That’s among the key elements of “Hitchcock,” a new biopic that follows the making of “Psycho” and chronicles a little about the director who remains an icon years after his death. We live in an age where privacy is an illusion. We know everything about our media heroes today — or at least we think we do. But when Hitchcock was making films, that wasn’t the case. So it’s only natural that there is a fascination with going back and exploring the man behind the genius. Earlier this year HBO released the original film “The Girl,” which chronicled Hitchcock’s unhealthy obsession with Tippi Hedren, his leading lady on “The Birds.” Much of that film was based on accounts Hedren gave of their relationship years after the fact, and it painted the famed director and the relationship with his wife, Alma, in a negative light. “Hitchcock” is a little kinder. It doesn’t deny that Hitchcock had his foibles, had an unhealthy fascination with the stars of his films and had a unique relationship with his wife. But it paints a more sympathetic and fascinating depiction of the man, his methods and what led to his unique success. Doubtless we’ll never know the whole truth, but “Hitchcock” seems to attempt to paint a fair picture of a man who was a genius at work but a mess in his personal life. Hopkins — who has played a range of fascinating characters over the years — does a good job embodying Hitchcock. There were a few moments that felt a bit off — like one sequence in particular where it seemed he was channeling Hannibal Lecter rather than the famed director — but for the most part it is a sturdy lead performance. Mirren is also good in the film as his wife, Alma. She has perhaps one of the most dynamic arcs in the film and does a good job in all her scenes. Mirren and Hopkins play well off one another, and in fact the movie is at its best when those two are the focal point. “Hitchcock” isn’t a great film, but it’s an entertaining film. It’s a fascinating exploration of the man behind the camera as well as the unique story of how an America classic almost didn’t make it to the big screen.
Rating: PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content and thematic material.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, Dec. 21 — "Jack Reacher," "Cirque de Soleil: World's Apart," "This Is 40"
Tuesday, Dec. 25 — "Django Unchained," "Les Miserables," "Parental Guidance"