Numerous critics had already sharpened their knives even before Gus Van Sant's shot-for-shot colour "re-creation" of the 1960 black-and-white Hitchcock classic was released, chiding the Good Will Hunting director for defiling hallowed ground. But this intriguing cinematic curiosity 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, for example--it's to little effect. Granted, he liberally splashes colour 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. 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 calibre; watch it for the sum of its intriguing parts, but not the whole. --Mark Englehart, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
Terrible! This pitiful remake of the amazing Alfred Hitchcock horror movie, "Psycho" isn't a patch on the original. Everything about this film is bad, the magic of the 60s classic just isn't there and i'm sure Hitchcock wouldn't approve.
Do yourself a favour, avoid this bad remake and buy the original, far more superior and entertaining in every way!
a stylish remake for the 90s why remake a classic ? everyone asks,some slate it,some hate it,but you have to hand it to director gus van sant,hes pulled it off. hes updated the script & even the house! that was brave! the actors are for a 90s psycho,vince vaughan as norman bates & anne heche as marion crane are spot on ! i cant fault it,but die hard hitchcock fans will not approve.
the re-recorded score by danny (batman,tales from the crypt)elfman is in
fantastic stereo at last,a fitting tribute to bernard hermann.... more info
A SCENE BY SCENE REMAKE Desperate to get away, secretary Marion Crane, (Anne Heche) goes away for the weekend with several thousand dollars in stolen money and flees into the Arizona desert. When a driving thunderstorm forces her to stop off at a roadside motel run by Norman Bates, (Vince Vaughn) and his abusive, never-seen Mother, she begins to get uncomfortable around him and eventually decides to head in early. When she mysteriously disappears from the motel a day later, her sister Lila Crane, (Julianne Moore) and boyfriend Sam... more info
What was the point? As a film fan i never understood (and still don't) the point of doing this film. A shot-for-shot remake of hitchcock's classic. Although watchable, i felt it lacked the atmosphere of the original and having colour instead of black and white may have been a factor. Vince Vaughn was not as chilling as Bates but did a respectable performance. My opinion to future directors would be - LEAVE THE CLASSICS ALONE!!
![Psycho [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AMX4NFWZL._SL160_.jpg)
