The film Psycho became renown, partly due to its complex narrative structure. The plot opens with Marion Crane and her lover, Sam, in a motel room. Here, they argue about why they cannot take their relationship to the next level because of Sam’s debts. After this heated debate, Marion goes to work and embezzles $40,000 on a whim in order to help Sam with his financial problems.When escaping to Sam, Marion takes a pit stop in the Bate’s Motel, where Norman, the owner, is portrayed by Hitchcock as a harmless, awkward young man. After the two sit down in the motel’s parlor for food, Marion is murdered, while taking a shower, from who seems to be the mother of Norman. After following Norman for a little while, Hitchcock reveals that the mother is dead, and Norman embodies her personality (PSYCHO).
There is also the character arc of Norman, who changed from an awkward, innocent young man to a psychopathic killer. In the beginning, Norman's actions because more suspicious and the audience starts to question him. Norman was casted to be a normal looking, slender man to be less obvious about the actual mental sickness of his character. From his appearance, he instantly comes off as a normal character but completely turns into a mentally distressed psychopath. A side of jealousy was exemplified by supposedly his mother was introduced to show a the abusive side with his mother, thus revealing Norman’s attachment to his mother.
2 comments:
Good background placing the film in history but could use more info on Hitchcock and the institutional/industry factors that allowed him to make this film. A little unclear that the parlor is the scene you plan to focus on for your extract. The focus on the birds is bit unclear when you start to describe them. You jump to Mis En Scene and then begin to reference the dialogue of the scene. Interesting attention to detail in the scene but be careful not to fall into plot summary. I like the insight mentioned in Marion's eating habits and the English "connotations" of birds/women. All the references to birds when laid out do seem a bit over the top but you provide an interesting connection to Hitchcock's intent by relating Norman's obsession with birds to his sexual repression with his mother. Next time make sure to add breakdowns on cinematography, editing, lighting, score, etc… A solid start!
Good background placing the film in history but could use more info on Hitchcock and the institutional/industry factors that allowed him to make this film. A little unclear that the parlor is the scene you plan to focus on for your extract. The focus on the birds is bit unclear when you start to describe them. You jump to Mis En Scene and then begin to reference the dialogue of the scene. Interesting attention to detail in the scene but be careful not to fall into plot summary. I like the insight mentioned in Marion's eating habits and the English "connotations" of birds/women. All the references to birds when laid out do seem a bit over the top but you provide an interesting connection to Hitchcock's intent by relating Norman's obsession with birds to his sexual repression with his mother. Next time make sure to add breakdowns on cinematography, editing, lighting, score, etc… A solid start!
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