Psycho
.jpg)
Psycho is a well known and probably the most known film from Alfred Hitchcock's collection. This thriller is not only thrilling but mysterious as well.
'Psycho' not only follows the rules set for thriller movies but also follows most of the media theories as well. Firstly, Roland Barthes' Enigma Code:
In my opinion, the category 'Psycho' should be picked to is The Hermeneutic Code (the voice of truth) as the film itself keeps the audience in suspense and questioning about how else can the story line go.
The second theory is Todorov's Narrative Theory:
This theory is based on five stages and I would probably agree that 'Psycho' follows most of them:
1. A stage of equilibrium
In this stage of a movie, Marion Crane is shown in her normal day, working. At that point there is nothing, that could be called unusual, happening. She leaves the work earlier than usual because of a headache, however, no one could tell that this kind of action is suspicious. Even knowing that she takes a large amount of money with her, the audience could not think about her as if she was a thief as she works in a company for a long time and is trusted.
2. A disruption of that order by event
When it looks like everything is going just fine, Marion Crane decides to run away with a large amount of money given to her. She is not sure whether she should do that, however, she does not turn around and goes missing.
3. A recognition that the disorder has occurred
As the audience see a detective starting to solve the case, they realises that the film character already accepts the situation and believes something is wrong.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption
When the audience starts seeing Lila and Sam, then there starts the attempt to clean up the mess that is going on. As they are going after Marion and the detective, they understand that something wrong is going on and they want to figure out what.
5. A return or restoration of a new equilibrium
The new equilibrium starts as Norman Bates is being arrested and that gives the audience an idea that he is no more a worry and no one else is about to be hurt by him.
The last media theory I would like to add is Laura Mulvey's - The Male Gaze
This theory is mostly based on Laura Mulvey's opinion that most of the films are showed through the eyes of a male. I believe that 'Psycho' does kind of follow this theory as when talking about the gender roles in the film, women where not as important. Even knowing it starts with Marion as a main character, she is actually not. The movie is interestingly made and there is basically no main character in it.
The women in the film are represented as weak and the film makes it feel like women have to be kept safe and looked after. For example, when Lila and Sam decided they had to check the Bates Hotel, Sam did not agree that Lila should go with him as it could be dangerous there.
In this stage of a movie, Marion Crane is shown in her normal day, working. At that point there is nothing, that could be called unusual, happening. She leaves the work earlier than usual because of a headache, however, no one could tell that this kind of action is suspicious. Even knowing that she takes a large amount of money with her, the audience could not think about her as if she was a thief as she works in a company for a long time and is trusted.
2. A disruption of that order by event
When it looks like everything is going just fine, Marion Crane decides to run away with a large amount of money given to her. She is not sure whether she should do that, however, she does not turn around and goes missing.
As the audience see a detective starting to solve the case, they realises that the film character already accepts the situation and believes something is wrong.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption
When the audience starts seeing Lila and Sam, then there starts the attempt to clean up the mess that is going on. As they are going after Marion and the detective, they understand that something wrong is going on and they want to figure out what.
5. A return or restoration of a new equilibrium
The new equilibrium starts as Norman Bates is being arrested and that gives the audience an idea that he is no more a worry and no one else is about to be hurt by him.
The last media theory I would like to add is Laura Mulvey's - The Male Gaze
This theory is mostly based on Laura Mulvey's opinion that most of the films are showed through the eyes of a male. I believe that 'Psycho' does kind of follow this theory as when talking about the gender roles in the film, women where not as important. Even knowing it starts with Marion as a main character, she is actually not. The movie is interestingly made and there is basically no main character in it.
The women in the film are represented as weak and the film makes it feel like women have to be kept safe and looked after. For example, when Lila and Sam decided they had to check the Bates Hotel, Sam did not agree that Lila should go with him as it could be dangerous there.
No comments:
Post a Comment