There are many dimensions of the film Psycho that play into how the film is viewed and critiqued. A 2008 horror film fanatic of gore and thrill may find Psycho to be less than appealing because of the minimal stabbing during the murder scenes and the relatively small amount of blood shown. While watching, it may be easy for somebody to figure out that Norman Bates is both himself and his mother. It seems people like films that have complex plots that are hard to figure out. Looking beyond the possible gore, thrill and complex plot flaws, Psycho was filmed with an eye of care for each scene and film shot.**
Each scene has an angle that allows the viewer to see something new...something artistic. The use of silence and the spoken word is extremely effective. During the scenes where Bates removes Marion's body and the evidence of the murder, it is mostly silent, which helps create an uncomfortable tone. Being uncomfortable while watching a film is something that is difficult to evoke. It seems to me, a lot of films can easily make viewers scared, excited, nervous, happy or sad. Making people uncomfortable with themselves or the scene is more difficult. Unless it is a film that speaks directly to the viewer (i.e.- a film or documentary about injustices in the world may make somebody feel uncomfortable with the current state of their life), the film may not make people feel uncomfortable. I have seen many films and television shows that include cleaning and disposal of the evidence and or body. Usually I think it is crazy and hope that the person does not get away with the crime, but in Psycho I felt discomfort. It felt more eerie. It was annoying almost.
The spoken word was effective during the scene where Marion is driving out of Phoenix and she is thinking through everything people said that day. The scenes show her face in the car, or her view out of the front windshield. Her thoughts are the music in these scenes. Right before she arrives at Bates Motel, Marion is driving and thinking. Rain starts to fall on her car and it looks like blood in the beginning. That scene packs in so many different aspects of the film. The rain seems like blood at first, which seems to foreshadow the shower murder scene. The rain gets heavier and falls harder on her windshield, which could symbolize how deep she has gotten into her problem. Over all Psycho may not have a complex story line, but film angles, uses of silence and spoken word help create a complex scenes for the viewer to unpack.
**Because I'm not a fan of gore and thrill, I was satisfied with Psycho.
1 comment:
I'm glad you mentioned the disposal scene following Marion's death. That scene seems so pivotal to the film. It is indeed long and, as you say, uncomfortable. Can you think of why a director would go to such lengths to make audiences uncomfortable at that point in the film?
Does saying that you "usually" don't want the cleaner-upper to get away with it in films imply that you did find yourself hoping Norman would get away with it? How is that possible?
Post a Comment