Psycho: Not a Mother’s Day Movie

Contains spoilers!

Based on the 1959 eponymous Robert Bloch novel, Psycho was released in 1960 and was directed by the master of horror himself, Alfred Hitchcock. It tells the story of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who steals $40,000 to pay off her boyfriend Sam Loomis’ (John Gavin) debts. On her way to him, Marion stops at the Bates Motel, run by the seemingly normal Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). Unfortunately for Marion, Norman isn’t so normal as he harbors a dark secret, one that leaves the audience as horrified as the film’s characters.

Norman’s secret is that his mother is dead, but his mind refuses to accept it. Consequently, he takes to dressing in her clothes and speaking in her voice, practically having conversations with himself and his “Mother” persona. Furthermore, the “Mother” persona takes control when Norman feels a strong attraction towards another woman, leading to Marion’s iconic death, accompanied by the chilling score.

Perkins brings Norman to life in way that is in the vein of “boy next door.” Looking at him, you’d never expect him to be living such a bizarre life, and Perkins’ performance plays no small part in that. There is one thing in the circumstances leading to Marion’s death that must be pointed out. The audience might believe that Norman has, while peeping, discovered Marion’s ill-gotten funds, and this could be the motive for the murder. This is not the case. As mentioned, “Mother” takes control when Norman feels attracted to other women. This turns the stolen cash from the catalyst of the film’s events into a simple MacGuffin. What’s even better about this is that Norman never discovers the money. He takes the newspaper acting as the money’s hiding place, stuffs it into Marion’s suitcase, and disposes of it, her car, and Marion’s body in a nearby swamp.

Marion, presented as our false protagonist, is no angel herself. After a client at work presents her with the forty grand, one can practically see the wheels turn in her head as she formulates the diabolical plan to steal the money to help Sam. She even, perhaps unconsciously, admits to herself that what she’s doing is wrong. When we’re first introduced to Marion, having just finished some play time (if you know, you know) with Sam, she’s wearing a white bra. After she’s stolen the money and is packing, Marion exits the closet, having changed into a black one, a visual que that she’s has taken steps down an immoral path.

Credit must also be given to the film itself as well as the marketing for the film. Over the course of the film, the camera is stationed at angles that, before the big reveal, prevent us from seeing “Mother’s” face, and we only hear her voice. Hitchcock used three different women (Virginia Gregg, Paul Jasmin, and Jeanette Nolan) to provide “Mother’s” voice. It’s a small detail, but the film makes the effort to make the audience believe that “Mother” is still alive, and it’s not Norman impersonating her.                Prior to the film’s release, Hitchcock reportedly purchased every copy of Bloch’s novel he could find, thus making it much more difficult to discover the reveal at the end.

This movie rounds out my personal top five favorite movie list, and it’s one I will continuously go back to. Norman is a fascinating character, and I do highly recommend Bloch’s novel. I will end on this note: this is a mother Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake will need to avoid at all costs.

Cast

Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates

Janet Leigh as Marion Crane

Vera Miles as Lila Crane

John Gavin as Sam Loomis

Martin Balsam as Milton Arbogast