Behind Every Great Man...

Sometimes, there are movies you are very keen to see, but then they disappear off the radar for a while, only to pop right back up and announce they're coming out soon. Hitchcock was one such example for me, ever since I found out Anthony Hopkins was involved (OK, I'd have probably seen it regardless, but that's still a big incentive), and for a while, I thought the project had died off.

But no, it was actually being made all this time, and the release date just surprised me. So, naturally, I made it a priority to see.

What's it about, exactly? Well, it details the making of Psycho, his most well known film, but it's also a look at the relationship between Alfred and his wife, Alma (Helen Mirren).

Really, that's all you need to know. It's not a “from birth to death” style biopic, although I wouldn't object to that. This will end up being a short blog, because whether or not this film works boils down to one question: do we have the right cast for the job? The answer is yes, yes we do.

There really isn't much Anthony Hopkins can't do these days, he's a magnificent actor. He embodies the pomposity and snarkiness Hitchcock was said to have had, and he has the look down-pat.

If there's anyone who comes close to outdoing Anthony, or even outright outdoing Anthony, it's Helen Mirren, stepping in with firm support and a quick wit. The amount of work she did on Psycho can't be denied either, and she is the one who suggested the famous musical cue during the shower scene. The two compliment each other well, being able to one-up each other with dry wit. Even when Alfred confronts Alma with accusations of adultery, he never disrespects or diminishes her dutiful work, and that is a huge plus with me. She is portrayed as every bit an equal as Hitch, and maybe even more so.

That doesn't mean the supporting cast aren't great either. In fact, I'm ashamed to say I didn't recognize a couple of them, and they're actresses I like a lot! Jessica Biel and Toni Collette disappear into their roles as Vera Miles and Peggy Robertson respectively, and Ralph Macchio's in this, too! Seriously, I only just found that out now! Yes, the Karate Kid himself!

Scarlett Johansson was as classy as I've come to expect as Hitchcock's leading lady Janet Leigh, and she continues to be one of my favourite actresses currently in the industry.

And Kurtwood Smith, despite his very small role, well, it's always great to see him.

I was also fascinated by parts in the film in which Hitchcock appears to be talking to Ed Gein, usually in a dream sequence, or the like. Goes to show how devoted to his work Hitchcock was, how obsessed he was, and, on some level, maybe how eccentric and borderline crazy he might have been. I mean, we all go a little crazy sometimes...

So, yeah, short blog, probably not very informative, but that's often the thing with a biopic. The casting is often the most important thing, or else the project falls apart. Luckily, we have a stellar cast on hand. 4/5

If only this could be a TV series, and we could see the process behind all his films. Can this happen? Please? I'd love to find out what happened behind the scenes on The Birds.