Let me save you the suspense (I actually came up with that before I thought about who this film is about) and tell you that this movie is for old people. Those nice women who wear those chenille-looking scarves (usually plum, with a complementary black hat), and the men they drag along if their friends can't go, who look as if they'd rather be at home. Usually at the Lido, sometimes at the Rialto. This movie was made for the Lido.
Helen Mirren is at the stage of her career where she can do absolutely anything, and it will be well received. I say this from the camp that receives her; since Calendar Girls, I've been a fan. Anthony Hopkins is at the stage in his career where people will pretend to be interested, but not really want to see the film; when I think of him now, I find myself thinking of Baudrillard (though I did very much enjoy him in The Wolfman - that film was the best kind of ridiculous). I imagine he was very grateful to see Helen Mirren cast as Hitchcock's wife.
I don't know that I need to say much more than that, but I will. The film is entirely inoffensive (though the story might offend the intellects of some, and all power to them; life is short), and easy to follow. I found myself far more interested in things briefly alluded to (Hitchcock's relationship with Vera Miles, for one) than those explored (and even then, these weren't really delved into). Some people might describe the story-telling as subtle; I thought it was somewhat superficial, and like similar movies such as My Week With Marilyn (terrible, terrible film), relied too much on styling and novelty.
Both Mirren and Hopkins turn in solid performances (this is so weird; I never use phrases like "turn in", but I guess I'm trying to be a real, live reviewer), and Scarlett Johannson is the least annoying I've found her since Lost In Translation. Jessica Biel is underused, and everybody else is fairly forgettable.
Frankly, I wouldn't bother. The friends we watched with didn't mind it; I felt bad about this, as they have a six month old baby, and this was the first movie they'd watched since her birth. I did mind. There are so many excellent movies out there, it would be preferable to remaster and rerelease them than to watch new movies that would be clever or insightful, but just aren't. My recommendations for something to watch instead of this:
1. The Remains of the Day
2. Psycho
3. Vertigo
or The Wolfman. It really was hilarious.
