Psycho

Psycho, a creepy movie by Alfred Hitchcock still haunts me these days.  This story is basically about a secretary who runs away with $40,000 from her employer's client, checks into a remote motel run by a young man, and gets murdered mysteriously.  Rated number 14 on the AFI top 100, Psycho is what I believe one of the most successful and impressive movies all time among works by this well-known director.

Norman Bates, the owner of that motel is the leading character of the whole story.  While audiences are terrified by his cruelty to his mother and victims, we should also pay attention to what forms his split personality.  His father passed away early in Norman’s childhood, and his mother, also the only friend in his life met with a guy.  The feeling of loneliness took over Norman’s mind and stimulated him to commit the crime.  Realizing his beloved mother will never come back, Norman regrets killing his only relative.  Overwhelmed by the sense of guilt, he stores the corpse in the basement and imagines himself to be his mother.

Without the love and respect from others, every one of us could be fragile and lose his way.  I believe being loved is also a basic requirement for us, which keeps us on the right track and judge sensibly.