"Just call me Hitch - hold the cock."For those who know little about Hitchcock and the making of Psycho, this film makes for an efficient if somewhat cursory introduction to the man and his career in Hollywood at that point; for the rest, there is little here that is revelatory, but it does provide a pleasing nostalgic wallow in that period of film-making. The film is carried by the wonderful pairing of Hopkins as Hitchcock (not a successful physical impersonation, but wonderful in timing and delivery) and Mirren on sharp form as his vital and steadfast wife Alma. There are numerous praiseworthy performances, in particular from strong actresses - Johannsen as a delightful Janet Leigh, Biel as Vera Miles, Collette as Hitch's PA - and the storytelling is brisk. The conceit of connecting Hitchcock to Ed Gein (the inspiration for the Psycho story) on-screen is at first inventive but convinces less as the film progresses. Hitchcock may provide a seemingly lukewarm interpretation of the man and the events presented, but it also showcases a lot of admirable talent on the screen.
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