Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho; "The Rainstorm" by Bernard Herrmann 

Psycho (1960) poster

     Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film, Psycho has shocked audiences with its chilling screenplay and equally effective music. In fact, Bernard Herrmann's score for Psycho has become one of the most iconic horror themes of all time. 

     In this scene ("the Rainstorm") from Psycho, the protagonist, Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh) becomes consumed by her thoughts of her recent crime. She has stolen $40,000 from her employer in the hopes of starting her life anew with her Californian boyfriend Sam Loomis (played by John Gavin). After hours of driving, Marion has succumbed to paranoia as she begins to imagine possible reactions and conversations from the people affected by her crime. Bernard Herrmann's score adds to her urgency as the all-string-orchestra is fast paced and continuously builds. When it begins to rain, the music mirrors this natural event as the softer pizzicato plucking of the instruments create a foreboding lull in this scene. The short and sharp staccato notes foreshadow the knife induced horrors yet to come. Now Marion has found herself lost in the storm, the music swelling. Her exhaustion festers as as the pulsing music ends. The Bates Motel sign slowly comes into view. Marion slowly drives up to the vacant motel seeking only sanctuary. 

Bates' house on the hill and Norman overlooking the motel

     This scene is beautifully complimented by Bernard Herrmann's iconic music. I find the composition of this scene both unsettling and interesting. I remember when I first saw this scene, I was captivated by the camera's locked on focus on Janet Leigh. Her eyes were so expressive though they hardly blinked. Her expressions were subtle and yet I was able to read an entire range of her emotions. The music was something that also left an impact on me. I dedicated  several years of my life playing the Double Bass in an all string orchestra, and so I was able to appreciate the subtler aspects of Herrmann's score.  

Alfred Hitchcock (left) and Bernard Herrmann (right)

     In "the Rainstorm" scene, Herrmann creates a tense atmosphere through his music that succeeds his intended response. The effectiveness of his score has withheld the test of time; as his music holds the same effect on its viewers today as it did in 1960. Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho has become my favorite film of all time. I believe that a large portion of the reason that I enjoy the film as much as I do, is due to the amazing soundtrack. Bernard Herrmann's score heavily compliments Hitchcock's film and I could not imagine Psycho without it. 

Marion meets Mrs. Bates

The Perfect Pumpkin by David Gonzales (music: Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns) I do not own the music in this video.

Wes Anderson Interviewed on The Treatment

Wes Anderson

     Wesley Wales Anderson, better known as Wes Anderson is an American film director and screenwriter known for his distinctive cinematic style. He is best known for such films as: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) and Rushmore (1998). On June 15th, 2012 Wes Anderson was interviewed by Elvis Mitchell on KCRW The Treatment to discuss his latest film, Moonrise Kingdom. 

Suzy and Sam

     In his interview, Anderson discussed how Moonrise Kingdom is about a set of misfit twelve year olds that fall in love with one another. The film is set on a New England island in the year 1965, and like much of his films, is quirky and reminiscent of an idealized past. He also explained the origins of his film. He stated that the 1976 French film Small Change, directed by Francois Truffaut greatly inspired him to make this movie. Small Change is a film about the daily lives of children and employs interesting camera angles to achieve the effect of viewing the world as these kids would. 

     The two main characters, Sam Shakusky (played by Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (played by Kara Hayward) are both outcasts as Sam is an orphan constantly bullied by his fellow khaki scouts, and Suzi is a troubled child who constantly clashes with her family. Anderson stated that, "They're both on their own in their separate ways." After a series of long distance letters, the two "make a sort of pact to escape their lives, together." The subject of a broken family is explored in several of Anderson's films including Moonrise Kingdom as Suzy's mother has an affair with another man, and both of Sam's parents are dead.

Moonrise Kingdom Uniforms

     Wes Anderson also stated that, "Most of the people in the film are wearing some kind of uniform and I think the hero and heroin of the story are more or less against every institution that these uniforms represent." Many authority figures in the film wear uniforms, whether it be the the woman from Social Services, the Island Police Captain, or the other khaki scouts. Sam and Suzy on the other hand have a distinct look to them, and though Sam wears his uniform, he wears his unique raccoon skin hat and broach to set himself apart.      

Suzy's suitcase filled with fantasy books

      Focusing in on the overall atmosphere of the movie, Anderson stated that, "[Suzy] has all of these fantasy books...and that the movie really ought to feel like it is one of those books and belongs in her suitcase. The title of the movie is like the title of the kind of a young adult book: Moonrise Kingdom." The saturation of the film, the colorful characters and the quirky music reminiscent of a fantastical era create a world of magical nostalgia and serious reality. 

Wes Anderson on the set of Moonrise Kingdom

     The interview KCRW interview on The Treatment was an interestingly insightful look into Wes Anderson's 2012 film, Moonrise Kingdom. Wes Anderson contributes greatly to the world of film as his unique style reflects beautifully into his movies. Wes Anderson is a personally one of my favorite directors and Moonrise Kingdom has become one of my favorite movies of all time.  

The Treatment interview can be found here: 

http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/tt/tt120613wes_anderson_moonris