Psycho (1998)

A young female embezzler arrives at the Bates Motel, which has terrible secrets of its own.

Director:

Gus Van Sant

Writers:

Robert Bloch (novel), Joseph Stefano (screenplay)

Stars:

Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, Julianne Moore

4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vince Vaughn	...	Norman Bates
Anne Heche	...	Marion Crane
Julianne Moore	...	Lila Crane
Viggo Mortensen	...	Sam Loomis
William H. Macy	...	Milton Arbogast
Robert Forster	...	Dr. Simon
Philip Baker Hall	...	Sheriff Chambers
Anne Haney	...	Mrs. Chambers
Chad Everett	...	Tom Cassidy
Rance Howard	...	Mr. Lowery
Rita Wilson	...	Caroline
James Remar	...	Patrolman
James Le Gros	...	Car Dealer (as James LeGros)
Steven Clark Pachosa	...	Police Guard
O.B. Babbs	...	Mechanic

Storyline

Marion Crane steals a lot of cash from a man whom her boss is in business with. On the way to see her boyfriend, she stops off by an old motel, run by the odd Norman Bates. She is murdered in the shower. Her sister, boyfriend, and a private investigator try to find out where she is, while we learn more about Norman Bates.

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Plot Keywords:

remake | murdered in a shower | color remake of black and white film | shot for shot remake | norman bates | 

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Taglines:

We all go a little mad sometimes... yes... sometimes once is enough.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and sexuality/nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Psycho (1960), Sir Alfred Hitchcock wanted his opening shot to be a long, complete pan and zoom over the city into Marion's hotel room. Sadly, the technology was not yet perfected, and he achieved his effect through a series of pans and dissolves. The remake does a complete travelling shot, as Hitchcock had intended.

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Goofs

The $4,036.00 that Norma Crane has written on a slip of paper represents an incorrect amount. At the time the movie was shot the CA state minimum sales tax was 6%. Based on the $4,000 paid to the dealer for new car, the tax would have been at least $240.00 (total amount= $4240.00, not $4036.00).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Samuel 'Sam' Loomis: You never did eat your lunch, did you?
Marion Crane: I better get back to the office. These extended lunch hours give my boss excess acid.
Samuel 'Sam' Loomis: Why don't you call your boss and tell him you're taking the rest of the afternoon off? Its Friday, anyway - and hot.
Marion Crane: What do I do with my free afternoon? Walk you to the airport?

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Crazy Credits

If you look closely at the swamp after the ending credits, the water turns to blood.

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Connections

Referenced in Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made (2015)

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Soundtracks

Weepy Donuts
Written and performed by Bill Frisell and Wayne Horvitz
Featuring "Psycho" themes by Bernard Herrmann

User Reviews

Very poor re-make of a classic.

My biggest question is "Why did they re-make a classic Hitchcock movie?" It's a "no-win" situation. The original, with Tony Perkins and Jamie Lee's mom (Janet Leigh), is so indelible on our minds that even subconsciously we compare the two. Vince Vaughn is not very believable as Norman Bates. I have yet to find a movie role played by Ann Heche that I like. Her nasal delivery and disingenuous reactions as Marion simply grate on me. Anyone else would have been better. The only character I thought was an improvement was investigator Arbogast played well by William Macy. Even Julliane Moore, as Marion's sister, seemed to have a smirk that announced "I feel silly doing this film." Had this been a completely original film I would probably rate it 5 or 6 for some entertainment. As an inferior re-make, I rate it "4".

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Psycho

Filming Locations:

Hotel Westward Ho, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,031,850, 6 December 1998

Gross USA:

$21,485,655

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$37,170,655

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1