Psycho IV: A New Beginning (1990)

 February 2008_______

"I'm free."

Maybe as Norman Bates announces this at the end of the film, in a sense, not only was Norman finally cured of his Mother, but Perkins was finally free of the character that both made and abused his career.

Anyway, the Norman Bates saga comes full circle and Perkins, as mentioned above, finally has the opportunity to close the door on the signature character that he could never fully escape. Norman has a way to release the horrors of his youth as a radio show on controversial topical subjects, hosted by DJ personality Fran Ambrose(CCH Pounder, I always liked this actress), sets their program's night on children who murder their mothers with visiting psychologist Dr. Leo Richmond(Warren Frost)as their guest. Norman claims he'll murder his wife at the show's close for becoming secretly pregnant against his wishes..Norman is frightened at the possibility that a monster will be born into this world and he will not watch it happen. The rest of the film has Norman telling of two victims he murdered shortly after his mother's demise, how his mother tormented him as a teenager, his mother's sexual relations with a brutish married man, and ultimately the poisoning of his mother and lover through the use of strychnine. As we follow the details into his life, Perkins himself often enters this world..Norman as an adult has still not been able to release himself of the past that has haunted him. All the while, Fran tries somehow to talk Norman out of the killing of his wife..often her task is difficult as Dr. Richmond, a doctor who has dealt with Norman in the past, often adds his two cents with terrible results.

Director John Landis has a wonderfully slimy role as the radio director who loves the idea that Norman is venting his miserable past on his show thinking of the ratings. Henry Thomas(a frequent collaborator under Mick Garris)effectively tackles the role of a young Norman, capturing his frail psyche, not to mention his feeble ability to stand up to his mother, and the vulnerability that comes under such a devotion for someone who doesn't have the capability to love you the same way(..not to mention, the quiet jealousy venting under the surface;the innocence Thomas has makes his horrendous deeds towards his victims even the more shocking). And, Thomas even favors Perkins quite a bit as far as his physical features..his smallish frame works wonders for the character. Norman's mother, channeled through Olivia Hussey, is evil incarnate, a tyrant who makes Norman's life a living hell. Despite being nasty bitch, Hussey is still incredibly alluring(..especially when bathing herself with iced tea)and sexy with Garris' camera seductively capturing her. But, this film is completely B&W regarding Norman..he's the victim in this film and Hussey with Thomas Schuster as lover Chet, are looked at with complete scorn. Those two female victims murdered are dwelt on screen with gusto..Thomas' Norman doesn't look like the kind of kid who would stab his first victim so heinously or strangle his second with such ferocity(..the second death is even more horrifying because she isn't dead, in her trunk, as the car quietly drowns into the infamous lake where Norman leaves his victims).

While not told in sequential order, the film is so well crafted, in my opinion, I never felt confused..this is Norman telling the story and he'll tell it how he wishes. I think Garris must've been thrilled to be the director who closes the series to such a historic character in the annals of horror. This could be his best film as he photographs Perkins and the unfolding of events quite stylishly. And, the ending, as Norman faces his demons one last time within the decrepit house on the hill, is fitting and satisfying..

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