OK for kids 13+
Entertaining biopic focuses on Hitch's marriage and method.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hitchcock isn't a full biopic of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock but rather a snippet of his personal and professional life as he made one of his most famous movies, Psycho. There are a few scenes of disturbing violence: the murder of a brother; a dead, bloody woman being dragged into a bathtub, and a killer who sleeps with his dead mother. The frightening shower scene from Psycho is depicted, with Hitchcock himself holding the butcher knife to elicit realistic screams from actress Janet Leigh. The language is comparatively mild ("ass," "damn"), but there are allusions to infidelity and sexual obsession, plus shots of kissing, groping, and women in their underwear.
- Families can talk about how Hitchcock is about making a movie. In what ways has the movie industry changed since Hitchcock's time? How is it the same (for example, Hitchcock says a director is only ever as good as his last project)?
- Is this really a biopic about Hitchcock or just a small glimpse of his life? What do we not know about Hitchcock? How could you find out more?
- The relationship between Hitchcock and his wife is explored. What do you think of their marriage? Should Alma be credited with the making of Psycho?
The good stuff
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Messages: Hitchcock is the story of the director's professional and personal journey to make one of the most important works of his career. The movie encourages artistic risks, commitment to your craft, and the importance of marital partnership and collaboration.
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Role models: Alfred Hitchcock is a driven, visionary director who puts up his own funds to make the movie he feels destined to make. Alma Reville is an amazing wife and partner to him. She collaborates with him professionally, fills in for him when he's sick, and keeps him as sane as she can without sacrificing her entire identity. Even when she's tempted by an emotional connection to another man, she doesn't give in and stays loyal to Hitchcock. Janet Leigh gives Hitchcock the benefit of the doubt, even though she's warned about how tyrannical he can be with his leading ladies.
What to watch for
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Violence: The murders of real-life serial killer Ed Gein are shown briefly -- from his first murder of his brother (via a hit to the head) to a bloodied dead woman he drags to a bathtub. There's also a scene in which Gein is shown sleeping with his dead mother. Psycho's infamous shower scene is depicted, with Hitchcock wielding a butcher's knife to make Leigh scream more convincingly.
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Sex: Hitchcock stares through a peep hole at an actress undressing. Leigh's ample bosom is discussed (like the fact that one frame shows her nipple in the shower scene), and she, Alma, and Vera Miles are all shown in their period undergarments (cone-shaped bras, full-coverage underwear, and slips). Alma and Alfred hug and kiss a couple of times. A married man is shown mid-affair (groping and kissing a woman who's in her bra and panties). There's a brief shot of two actors filming a love scene on a bed (she's in lingerie, he's shirtless).
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Language: Language includes "damn," "crap," "hell," "oh my God," "queer" (to describe actor Anthony Perkins), and insults like "corpulent," "fat," "ass," etc.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Hitchcock is portrayed as a near-alcoholic who drinks in almost every scene of the movie. He often hides liquor from his wife.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Nothing world rocking. Just a good time at the movies. by alexpolsky
Hopkins does a spot on rendition of the television Hitchcock. Those bits are highlights. For those who know Psycho for the phenomenon it was (and is) it was interesting to see how it got there. Did we need to see the underwear of his relationship with his wife? It was enlightening, and maybe accurate. It was strange to see Helen Mirren in a role of a second fiddle. All in all, a good visit with a classic movie and an iconic director.
5
My wife wanted to go and dragged me along. I am very glad she did. by cdwilli1
I always wear a watch that glows in the dark when I go to movies with my wife. Sometimes I look at it every 10 minutes or so.
As I sat down I realized that I had no idea how long the film was. So I had my watch and no idea how drawn out this misery would be.
I NEVER looked at my watch once. What a superb movie. It told a great love story, a great focused bio of the director and his wife. It made me laugh a lot - out loud. And almost scream once.
Go see it. Leave the watch at home.
5
Hitch by kellyjeanclair
If you know anything at all about Alfred Hitchcock - you will love this film. If you know a lot about Hitchcock - you will love it even more! Anthony Hopkins is magnificent as the 'master of suspense' as well as Helen Mirren as his equally talented wife Alma Reville, who wasn't just the woman 'behind the man' but beside him. I also thought that the supporting cast hit all the right notes, especially James D'Arcy as Tony Perkins - it would be great to see him play Tony in a bio-pic!
5
HICHCOCK - HOPKINS - MIRREN ... by BILLYLEH
Does it get any better than this? Fascinating glimpse at the making of one of the best movies ever made. Entertaining and informative throughout with superb acting: Hopkins. Mirren, Johansson, Collette ...
5
Hitchcock is "Bloody Good"!! by bsosna
If you are a fan of Alfred Hitchcock movies and you like the era in which he made his successful films, you MUST go to see Hitchcock. It tells the story of Hitchcock and his wife Alma durng the filming of the movie Psycho. Thier relationship was both complex and beautiful. Oscar worthy performances from Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren in the leads and a smashing turn from Scarlett Johansson who plays actress Janet Leigh and the ill fated Marian Crane in the movie within the movie. You won't want to miss the intensity during the filming the famous shower stabbing scene. Hitchcock is bloody good!
4
A Must For Hitchcock Fans by ROTRAVELER
Thoroughly enjoyed Hitchcock! It felt like a behind the scenes tour of Psycho. Anthony Hopkins didn't play Hitchcock - he WAS Hitchcock! Besides loving this movie, it left me with the desire to watch all of Hitch's movies again! This was a fitting tribute to a genius.
4
Excellent Performances by Film-girlly
Great movie...top rated performances by some of the best actors in the business. Both my husband and I loved the movie. From the start we fell in love with Hitch, his wife and the supporting cast. This movie is a must-see and a perfect package!
4
Worth A Ticket But Temper Your Expectations. by Alon Patterson
I guess old "Hitch's" bio rights went up for auction recently, based solely on the seeming avalanche of material about his life that's already found it's way to screens big and small in recent months. Among that fare, this one is fair (pardon the pun) in the way of entertaining. Hopkins and Mirren deliver stellar performances with what can only be described as an amateurish screenplay. Proof once again that there are no small parts, only small actors. and again how genuinely amazing is what real talent can bring to an otherwise dismal effort. All in all this isn't a bad flick, just not one you might want to consider paying an evening ticket price to see. It's a judgment call best left to the one paying I suppose.
4
Behind every successful man is a woman... by pdyon54
Went to see this with my husband. What most impressed me was how much Hitch relied on his wife. Great acting and wonderful cinematography. We thoroughly enjoyed it. For everyone who is a fan of the masterful Alfred Hitchcock and those who have yet to discover his artistry. A must see. PJD in Lakewood CO
4
Despite formula, it works by scottwoods
A little light on behind-the-scenes Psycho trivia, this is yet another film that uses something we all think we know - psycho - to tell a disparate love story. The device is kind of worn these days, but it works here because of the caliber of the cast and the engaging tie-ins.