Psycho (1998)

Movie / Show Details

Product Description

Criminal on the run, Marion Crane (Anne Heche) takes refuge at the motel operated by Norman Bates (Vince Vaughn)—a troubled man whose victims encounter a grisly fate at the hands of his “mother.” Marion soon becomes the next victim and her disappearance prompts inquiries from her sister (Julianne Moore) and a private investigator (William H. Macy). They both soon discover the morbid bond linking Norman to his mysterious “mother” at the Bates Motel. Relive the terror in acclaimed director Gus Van Sant’s all new version of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece of suspense…Psycho.
Bonus Content:

Psycho Path Feature Commentary with Director Gus Van Sant, Anne Heche and Vince Vaughn Production Notes Cast and Filmmakers Theatrical Trailer Screen Savers

Amazon.com

Numerous critics had already sharpened their knives even before Gus Van Sant’s shot-for-shot color “re-creation” of the 1960 black-and-white Hitchcock classic was released, chiding the Good Will Hunting director for defiling hallowed ground. This intriguing cinematic curiosity, though, is hardly as sacrilegious as critics would lead you to believe. If anything, Van Sant doesn’t take enough liberties with his almost slavish devotion to the material, now updated with modern references. At times, you wish Van Sant would cut loose with a little spontaneity, a little energy, a little something. Unfortunately, when he does venture outside Hitchcock’s parameters, with inserted shots of storm clouds during the murder sequences, it’s to little effect. Granted, he liberally splashes color throughout the film (especially in the case of the infamous shower scene), and this is a great-looking movie, but in his obsession with adding a new physical dimension to the film, there’s little insight into these characters that Hitchcock hadn’t already provided. Vince Vaughn, a robotic and giggly Norman, doesn’t crawl under your skin the way boy-next-door Anthony Perkins did, and Anne Heche is admirable if not very sympathetic in the Janet Leigh role. Van Sant does score a minor coup, though, in his casting of the supporting roles: Julianne Moore provides a welcome shot of energy as Heche’s irritable and curious sister, William H. Macy is a perfect small-time detective, Viggo Mortensen is studly enough to make you understand why Heche would want to run away with him, and James LeGros walks away with his one brief scene as a used car salesman. And Danny Elfman’s gorgeous rerecording of Bernard Herrmann’s score is a potent supporting character unto itself. Students and fans of the original film will get a kick out of the modern revisions, but don’t expect anything of Hitchcockian caliber; watch it for the sum of its intriguing parts, but not the whole. –Mark Englehart