CINE245: David Shukhin Blog Post #1 - Psycho

Blog Post #1: Psycho

Feb 2, 2024

Film name: Psycho

Release Date and Studio: 1960, Paramount Pictures
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Main Cast: List the 4 or 5 most important actors in the film and their characters: Anthony Perkins (Norman Bates), Janet Leigh (Marion Crane), Vera Miles (Lila Crane), John Gavin (Sam Loomis), Martin Balsam (Detective Arbogast)

Plot Summary: Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho centers on Marion Crane, who attempts to escape her life by running away with $40,000 in cash that she stole from her boss. She winds up in a peculiar motel run by Norman Bates, who seems to live alone with his old mother in their mansion. Marion is stabbed to death in the shower by what seems to be Norman's mother and Norman is left to conceal the crime. Marion's disappearance incites an investigation by a private investigator, her sister and her lover. The puzzle pieces slowly start falling into place and the finale reveals that it was Norman, who suffering from a type of psychological disorder, took on the role of his mother and murdered Marion.

Prompt: In approximately 350-400 words, analyze a single scene by describing the camera work and editing. Utilize the precise language - including correct acronyms - that we discussed in class (your notes should include these already). Then, create and defend an argument about the relationship between the cinematography and the larger meaning of that scene and/or its relationship to the larger film. That is, what is the cinematography itself contributing to the audience's understanding of that scene or the larger film?

In the scene where Norman shows Marion her room, Alfred Hitchcock employs a clever use of cinematography to highlight the dynamic between the two, create foreshadowing and hint at what Norman may be hiding. The sequence starts out quite simply with a MLS of Norman following Marion into the room. Instead of cutting, the camera pans to Norman opening up the window and describing the room. All seems to be formalities until Norman turns on the bathroom lights and freezes mid-sentence. This turns into a S/RS as we cut to a MS of Marion as she finishes his sentence for him. The camera creates a connection between Marion and the bathroom. The shot size is much tighter when we cut back to Norman, emphasizing that it was more than just an awkward blunder and that maybe Norman has something to hide. We pan as he starts to walk out before turning around as he’s about to step out the door. We get a S/RS of MCU of both of them as he invites her to have dinner with him. The placement of Norman at the door and Marion looking up at him creates the sense that Marion is trapped and doesn’t really have the option to deny his invitation. As he leaves we get a MS of Marion looking quite anxious and worried. 

I believe this scene is crucial to our understanding of Norman as it’s at the moment when he turns on the bathroom lights that he starts to view Marion in a more erotic way. So much so that as he is about to walk out he feels compelled to invite her to have dinner with him. This scene also establishes a dynamic between the two. Even though Norman is kind of an awkward lonely guy, he still has power over Marion due to the gender roles of the time, and the cinematography emphasizes this fact. Most importantly I believe it’s this interaction that triggers the Mother side of Norman to come out of dormancy. As soon as Norman gets back to the house he takes on Mother’s voice and starts yelling at himself and further objectifying Marion, sowing the seeds for the murder he is about to commit.