Following credits stating, “written and narrated by Alfred Hitchcock,” the famous man’s voice promises one lie during the documentary. But two already occurred: Mark Cousins writes and directs, while Alistair McGowan narrates in Hitchcock’s distinct tones. And yes, the narrator later admits making up one story, but otherwise, My Name is Alfred Hitchcock contains truth and insights about a cinematic great. A trendsetter in making the director a recognizable name and face, Hitchcock and his movies still bridge the gap between the general public and film geeks, highlighted by projects like North by Northwest and Psycho that gained both critical approval and box-office success. That broad audience gives a documentary analyzing Hitchcock works a better chance of making sense to someone outside a university film class. Catching on to the sneaky complications in Hitchcock’s movies can enhance appreciation of them, and writer/director Cousins follows a clear path towards deeper understanding. Using clips from a wide variety of Hitchcock films going back to those from early silent days right through the final feature, Cousins demonstrates the repeated tricks and themes Hitchcock used: escape, desire, loneliness, time, fulfillment and height. A voice that sounds like Hitchcock adds depth, recognizing the thrill that comes from playing with and confounding comfort and expectations—a trait sadly lacking in many new releases. Though some tastes and techniques move on and many elements in the director’s films reflect their dated era, moviemakers and their audiences can benefit by watching, experiencing, and learning from Hitchcock—and that’s no lie.
top of page
bottom of page
Comments