PSYCHO

Regardless of your age, it’s likely that you've viewed the famous shower scene from the Alfred Hitchcock movie PSYCHO, or its remake. This is the book that inspired the thriller and introduced Norman Bates, the seemingly mild-mannered manager of the Bates Motel, where madness lurks. Paul Garcia turns in a strong performance as the twisted villain. As Bates, Garcia can be childlike and simple or harsh and threatening—and just strange enough to keep you wondering. He's much less demonstrative with regard to most of the other characters, especially the potential victim, Mary Crane. His portrayal of Sam and Lila, the town's storekeepers is especially weak. Still, Norman as played by Garcia is clearly the star here, and Garcia is top-notch as the character that counts the most. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2009]