FILM-MAKER Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) and his screenwriter wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren) risk everything to selffinance “a nice, clean, nasty little piece of work” called Psycho.

Studios bosses baulk at distributing the film and the universally feared Motion Picture Production Code voices its concerns about the infamous shower scene.

Alma remains a rock of support through the turmoil, and she offers valuable advice about killing off the heroine halfway through the film.

“I think it’s a huge mistake,” she opines.

“You shouldn’t wait until halfway through . . . kill her off after 30 minutes.”

When principal photography eventually begins, Hitchcock nurtures an obsession with his blonde leading lady, Janet Leigh (Scarlett Johansson). In response, Alma entertains overtures from writer Whitfield Cook (Danny Huston), which fans the flames of her husband’s jealousy.

Adapted for the screen by John J McLaughlin from the book Alfred Hitchcock And The Making Of Psycho by Stephen Rebello, Sacha Gervasi’s biopic is a handsomely crafted portrait of tortured genius, distinguished by scintillating performances.

Mirren oozes determination and steely resolve, while Hopkins disappears beneath Oscar-nominated prosthetics.

His mannerisms perfectly capture the awkwardness and insecurities of a visionary who struggled with his weight.

Hopkins delivers the lip-smacking one-liners with obvious relish.

“My murders are always models of taste and discretion,” grins Hitchcock at one point.

 

DAMON SMITH