Psycho Movie Review 1998

Since Hitchcock's "Psycho" is one of the most famous movies of all time, it would seem redundant to summarize the plot here. Although, redundant is a fitting description of Gus Van Sant's shot-for-shot recreation. Wisely, Van Sant doesn't meddle with a good thing. On the other hand, ya pretty much have to ask, "what's the point?" Significant to the success of the original was that it pushed the envelope in 1960. (A shot of a toilet flushing! A woman taking a shower! Blasphemy!) But by today's standards, "Psycho" is utterly tame. Performances are excellent all around. As talented as Vaughn is, however, the inevitable comparison between him and Anthony Perkins reveals that Vaughn is just too cool for this role. Perkins' Norman Bates was geeky and frail, Vaughn just isn't. As the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Distribution

Universal Studios Home Video, 100 Universal City Plz., Universal City, CA 91608-9955, Phone: (818)777-1000, Fax: (818)866-1483, URL: http://www.universalstudios.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 106 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Creepy Houses, No-Exit Motel, Moms, Sanity Check

Screenplay

Joseph Stefano

Cast

Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Viggo Mortensen, Robert Forster, Philip Baker Hall, Anne Haney, Chad Everett, Rance Howard, Rita Wilson, James Remar, James LeGros

Cinematography

Christopher Doyle

Director

Gus Van Sant

Music

Bernard Herrmann

Producer

Brian Grazer, Gus Van Sant, Dany Wolf, Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Awards

Golden Raspberries 1998: Worst Remake/Sequel, Worst Director (Van Sant).