Hitchcock (2012) Review

“Hitchcock” sets out to tell the story of celebrated director Alfred Hitchcock’s biggest career risk, the making of “Psycho”. The man himself is portrayed by an at times unrecognisable Anthony Hopkins, who plays him with an impish imperiousness, and all the swagger you would expect. Although the physical and vocal resemblance is enough to carry off the character, Hopkins’ Hitchcock lacks that jowly, Droopy-esque quality that made Hitchcock such an endearing character.

Helen Mirren, as Hitchcock’s feisty and devoted wife Alma Reville, is more than a match for the truculent Hopkins and the relationship between the two of them is the captivating core of the film as they struggle through professional and personal trials and tribulations to bring “Psycho”, with its at the time groundbreakingly shocking shower scene intact to the screen.

The supporting cast is suitable starry (Toni Collette, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, Kurtwood Smith and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him Ralph Macchio) but the picture belongs to Hopkins and Mirren. This is a movie brimming with charm and charisma. There’s something particularly beguiling and glamorous about Hollywood in the 50’s and 60’s and “Hitchcock” doesn’t skimp on the magic. It evokes a (probably rose tinted) nostalgia for a time where Hollywood was run by larger than life characters and not by marketing focus groups and accountants.  If you’re looking for a gritty, warts and all documentary style take on the working practices of the great director, Alfred Hitchcock; this probably isn’t the film for you. This is the sanitised, macabre but friendly, cuddly Alfred Hitchcock of the mischievous TV monologues and the “Three Investigators” series of children’s books.

But not everything needs to be dark and gritty, and dramas based on true stories don’t need to obsess over every detail or character flaw in order to celebrate the flamboyance and genius of one of cinema’s greatest directors.

“Hitchcock” is an absolute joy, a lovingly crafted tribute to both an iconic filmmaker and a golden Hollywood era.

hitchcock review
Score 8/10


Hi there! If you enjoyed this post, why not sign up to get new posts sent straight to your inbox?

Sign up to receive a weekly digest of The Craggus' latest posts.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

logo

Related posts

Die Another Day (2002) Review

Die Another Day (2002) Review

Nobody does it better. 'It' being hubris, that is. Production on the 20th (Official) James Bond film was delayed for a year so that the release would line up with the 40th anniversary of “Dr. No” and give the franchise an opportunity to highlight and celebrate its enduring legacy...

Doctor Who: 73 Yards

Doctor Who: 73 Yards

It follows that I have a theory about Doctor Who's supernatural sidestep 73 Yards Folk horror and DOCTOR WHO is a match made in TV heaven and, of course, it’s something the series has dabbled with across the years, most recently in THE WITCHFINDERS and more classically in the...

Diana (2013) Review

Diana (2013) Review

There’s no room in anyone’s heart for this cheap and pointless biopic. There’s nothing in this flat, uninspired biopic which will change your opinion on the late Diana, Princess of Wales whatever it was: either a precious, much wronged saintly victim of a callous and cruel...

The Circle (2017) Review

The Circle (2017) Review

The Circle presumably takes its name from its massive, gaping plot holes. Available right now on Netflix, this 2017 techno-thriller seems to have a lot going for it: a cast that includes Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, Karen Gillan, John Boyega and Bill Paxton in his final role and a plot...

The Incredible Hulk (2008) Review

The Incredible Hulk (2008) Review

Don't make Feige angry. You won't be back if you make Feige angry When his cover is blown thanks to an accident in a bottling plant, Doctor Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) returns to the United States to seek the help of a mysterious ‘Mr Blue’ who may hold the key to undoing his Gamma...

Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991) Review

Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991) Review

Everything it does, it does it for you. 1991 saw a clash of outlaws, with not one but two Robin Hood films galloping into cinemas within months of each other. It was one of Hollywood’s all-too-frequent double-ups, joining the ranks of Deep Impact vs Armageddon or Volcano vs Dante’s Peak...

Beautiful Creatures (2013) Review

Beautiful Creatures (2013) Review

Tell me about the Caster, sugar. Y'all better harken to my Beautiful Creatures review. After the dull and muddled disappointment of “The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones”, I was a bit reluctant to continue catching up with all the ‘young adult’ adaptations vying to be the next...

Get Away (2024) Review

Get Away (2024) Review

Even the Griswolds never had a vacation like this one. Between this and There's Something In The Barn, there's an emerging subgenre of Scandinavian comedy horror that involves an English-speaking family blundering about the place and getting on the wrong side of local custom. Actually...

1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ReasonableCritic
11 years ago

Has there ever been another director who made so many masterpieces and classics? Maybe Speilberg.
As a Hitchcock fanatic, I’m not sure why I haven’t seen this yet. Maybe I was afraid that it would focus on his demons too much, but from your review it doesn’t sound like it does. I’m looking forward to it.