Performance In Alfred Hitchcock's Film Psycho

Although the quality of an actor’s performance is generally subjective, certain performances on film have been deemed extremely noteworthy due to their ability to impress various audiences and film critics. The characters within these performances differ in terms of appearance and personality; however, specific qualities within the actors that play their roles remain common throughout. For example, actors that display emotions realistically and react naturally to fictional circumstances within performances often tend to achieve more success. Anthony Perkins’ portrayal of Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Psycho, rests among some of the greatest performances on film along with Bud Cort’s portrayal of Harold Chason in Hal Ashby’s film,
Harold and Maude. Though Psycho and Harold and Maude differ in genre, the first categorized as a drama and the second a comedy, both Perkins and Cort utilize similar tactics to create believable characters and evoke empathy within their audiences; the use of these tactics, in turn, renders Perkins’ and Cort’s performances impressive. In the film Psycho, Anthony Perkins uses a variety of subtle actions to make Norman’s reactions to events believable, thus leading to the success of his performance. Norman is a character that unknowingly impersonates his deceased mother when committing crimes. During one of his “blackouts,” he dresses as his mother and ruthlessly murders Marion Crane, a resident staying the night at Bates Motel. When he re-enters the scene dressed as himself, Norman immediately notices Marion’s stabbed body in the shower and quickly turns around. Perkins’ action of turning away from the scene suggests that Norman wishes to avoid the disturbing sight. This subtle movement indicates Norman’s innocence and surprised nature, while resembling an authentic reaction of an outsider. Since Perkins’ initial reaction is realistic, viewers are more likely to remain engaged in the scene. Perkins’ following actions add to the lifelike nature of his character as well. For instance, while Norman attempts to find a solution for this issue, Perkins gulps incessantly and frantically scans his surroundings. By doing so, he indicates to viewers that Norman is nervous authorities will accuse either him or his mother for committing this crime. Nervousness is a realistic emotion to possess given these circumstances; therefore, Perkins’ portrayal of Norman becomes even more precise. Although Norman remains a fictional character, Perkins is able to effectively connect Norman’s emotions to the plot of the film. Through doing so, Perkins engages audience members in the movie, rendering his performance impressive. Similarly, in the film Harold and Maude, Harold witnesses the death of Maude; however, since Maude is a character that he has grown to love, the subtle actions Cort uses to generate a realistic reaction differ from those of Perkins’.
On the day Maude turns eighty years old, she confesses to Harold that she no longer wishes to live and has already taken tablets that will ensure she passes away at midnight. After she states this, Cort’s eyes immediately widen and he screams in disbelief. Since Harold loves Maude and initially hoped to propose to her, he is extremely upset with her decision to end her life. By widening his eyes and screaming, Cort displays that Harold is in utter shock. Since this worried emotion would be expected, provided the circumstances Harold is in, Cort’s use of these actions makes Harold’s reaction realistic. Knowing that Maude is in the process of committing suicide, Harold frantically rushes her to the hospital in an ambulance. While in the ambulance, Harold begins to sob, knowing that Maude will soon pass away. He admits to Maude that he loves her, but she simply tells him to spread the love he has to others. Cort places his head in his lap and begins to cry harder, signaling the state of distress Harold is in. This reaction resembles an authentic response to the death of a loved one, making Harold a realistic character. Cort’s ability to display this reaction in a lifelike manner allows viewers to remain connected to the film. He displays emotions
to enhance the script and in turn renders Harold a genuine character. In doing so, his performance becomes more impressive. Both Perkins and Cort use subtle actions when reacting to death to add to the believability of their characters. Though the circumstances of death within each movie differ, with Norman partaking in a murder and Harold reacting to suicide, the tactic of interpreting the script and adding subtle actions to each performance to enhance emotions remains common. The realistic nature of Norman and Harold as characters causes audience members to become more attached to the movie, since characters portrayed realistically are capable of making an entire movie more realistic and therefore relatable. Perkins’ and Cort’s ability to engage viewers in their respective movies renders their performances impressive. Their performances on film are now well-known since they possessed the ability to add natural actions to their scripts, creating lifelike characters. Another quality that renders Perkins’ performance impressive is his ability to evoke empathy within the audience. One way Perkins is able to do this is through his appearance. In Robert Bloch’s novel, Norman is portrayed as a middle-aged, narcissistic man who takes pleasure in drinking alcohol regularly and listening to old, classical music. However, Perkins, who plays Norman in the film, is almost the exact opposite. Perkins is a young, handsome, and soft-featured man. His gentle physical features cause viewers to interpret Norman as a benevolent character. When Marion first visits Bates Motel, Perkins smiles frequently at her and speaks with an uplifting tone. These characteristics provide the audience with the idea that Norman is a warmhearted and good-natured individual. However, when Norman commits murder, the audience’s view regarding him shifts. A more frightful and malicious side to Norman is revealed, and even though his actions are gruesome and unwarranted, the audience is aware that Norman does not know he commits crimes. Since audience members first witnesses the more soft and kind side of Norman, they tend to sympathize with him rather than dislike him. Contrastingly, in the novel, readers are initially presented with the idea that Norman is an unpleasant character, and therefore, they do not feel empathetic toward him when he murders Marion Crane. Perkins’ ability to evoke genuine emotion within the audience through his appearance in the film indicates that viewers are attached to the film, despite the fact that it is fictional. This, as a result, makes his performance impressive. Cort is able to evoke empathy in the audience as well; however, he does not rely on his appearance to do so.
Instead, his portrayal of Harold’s character development within Harold and Maude lies responsible for inciting empathy within viewers. In the beginning of the film, Harold is presented as a rich, young man that possesses an unusual obsession with death. He frequently stages suicides and attends funerals. While attending one of many funerals, he meets Maude, an older, light-hearted woman that coincidentally shares the same fetish, despite her contrasting personality. Prior to meeting Maude, Harold is a very unenthusiastic character; to display this quality, Cort speaks in a monotone fashion and purposely avoids revealing any emotion. Throughout the beginning of the film, Cort ensures that Harold’s facial expression remains indifferent and lifeless, with a closed mouth and droopy eyes; however, as time progresses, and Harold begins to fall for Maude, Cort starts to reveal small signs of emotion to indicate a change in Harold’s behavior. For instance, when Maude invites Harold into her home and presents her artwork to him, he smiles subtly, signaling that he enjoys her company. After the two spend a significant amount of time together exploring each others interests, Harold begins to display more of his personality. He avoids faking suicides while he is with Maude since she gives him a reason to live and truly enjoy life. However, at the end of the movie when Harold
realizes that Maude has committed suicide, Cort cries in order to display Harold’s sadness. Since Harold is presented as a lifeless character, this extreme change in display of emotion indicates to viewers that Maude makes Harold feel emotions he was initially unfamiliar with. Audience members tend to sympathize with Harold because as soon as he discovers true happiness, he is left feeling depressed. Cort’s presentation of Harold allows the audience to engage in and witness the development of an individual. Since he is able to evoke empathy within the audience, Cort’s performance becomes impressive. Though Perkins uses his appearance and charm, whereas Cort uses actions to display character development, both are able to evoke empathy within the audience. Perkins causes audience members to believe that Norman is a good-natured individual, despite the fact that he commits murder. Although audience members have conflicting emotions regarding Norman’s character, empathy typically prevails, as Norman is introduced as a young, handsome, and kind individual. Cort also evokes emotion within viewers through displaying the development of Harold as a character accurately. Though Harold initially lacks emotion, after discovering happiness, Maude chooses to end her life, leaving him depressed. This turn of events causes audience members to understand his situation and sympathize with him. Since both Psycho and Harold and Maude are fictional movies, Perkins’ and Cort’s ability to cause viewers to empathize with their characters renders their performances impressive. Anthony Perkins’ performance in Psycho and Bud Cort’s performance in Harold and Maude are both deemed impressive due to their ability to create realistic characters and incite emotion within their respective audiences. Although both actors use similar tactics, which in turn make their performances impressive, ___________.