FLOP CULTURE

Mother isn’t quite herself in director Gus Van Sant’s bad cover version of Hitchcock’s proto-slasher classic…

PSYCHO (1998)

Why it was a good idea (on paper)

Self-conscious exercise in futility or, as Gus van Sant said, ‘Weird science experiment’? However you slice it, Van Sant’s note-for-note 1998 remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 shower-power thriller couldn’t help but generate a little curiosity.

What went wrong?

But even morbid curiosity couldn’t justify the budget. After Van Sant’s Good Will Hunting success, the studio lobbed $60m at his arch motel renovation programme. The thinking was far removed from Hitchcock, who shot his original in pulpy monochrome for under $1m, using the crew of TV’s Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Van Sant favoured soft pastels, a kind of pop-art design makeover that sucked any hint of murky mood down the plughole. Recasting proved equally tricky. While Anne Heche’s Marion Crane was too perky, Vince Vaughn’s Norman Bates replaced Anthony Perkins’ wrongfooting fragility and repressed turmoil with bulky presence. Perhaps there was no way around the issue: after all, the film’s twists had become so embedded in the cinemagoing psyche that surprising an audience would be impossible.

Even so, Van Sant tried by inserting WTF surreal shots of clouds, cows and erotica into murder scenes. He also showed more flesh in the shower and put the Bates in masturbates with an onanism episode, transforming Norman from tragic figure into an unambiguous creep. For disinterested audiences and damning critics, this Psycho was a self-indulgence too far.

Redeeming feature

Re-arranged by Danny Elfman, Bernard Herrmann’s thrusting score remains piercingly good.

What happened next?

Preferring their scares scary, not smart-arsed, audiences stayed away. After 2000’s Finding Forrester, Van Sant fully embraced arthouse principles with his ‘Death’ trilogy. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. has been circling a Vertigo remake, another Hitchcock peak that might prove perilous to scale.

Should it be remade?

After the sequels, TV prequels and Van Sant’s curio? Maybe we should we let mother RIP.

CAR FOR SALE

FILM: THE GREAT GATSBY VEHICLE: 1928 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I ASCOT DUAL COWL SPORT YEAR: 1974

Simply marvellous yellow Rolls-Royce with green leather interior – perfect for trips to New York via the Valley of Ashes. Some previous damage to front fender that has now been repaired but a perfect ride for a careful driver and an ‘old sport’. The car was the subject of a scandal so price reflects notoriety. Previous owner unavailable to sell. Call Nick Carraway for a test drive.

REEL ESTATE

FOR SALE Rustic wooden retreat perched above Santa Carla town with great views and proximity to local wildlife. A warm family home with roll-top tub, spacious hall and garage. Features a workshop area that’s perfect for taxidermy and other hobbies. Dirt track to property is great fun for motorbikes and jeeps. A great place for a retirement home or as a spot for a flying visit. Pervading smell of garlic but home cleaners confident of removing this before sale.