Alfred Hitchcock is a fascinating man. He’s notorious for as many great films he’s made as he has rumors about his personal life. Hitchcock decides to focus on neither of these too in-depth, and instead documents the making of Hitchcock’s film Psycho, considered by many to be his best.

The film feels less like a bio pic and almost a caricature of the time period, specifically from leading man Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock. Hopkins weaves between a witty tongue and earnestness, and he’s very enjoyable to watch. It’s almost hard to tell that it’s Anthony Hopkins under all the makeup he has on at times. Just like the movie though, the makeup makes Hopkins look more like a caricature of Alfred Hitchcock than the real deal.

The film focuses solely on the time period that Hitchcock spent making his movie Psycho, and the issues and inspirations that pushed him through the film. One of those inspirations was Hitchcock’s wife Alma, played magnificently by Helen Mirren. Mirren is hot headed but driven; you see how much she cares for her husband, despite the pressure she feels in public and at work, fearing that she lives in the shadow of her husband.

The film is at its best when it is showing the making of Psycho. You get to see all of the people who came together to make a film that seemed impossible to make at the time. Scarlett Johansen, who’s always easy on the eyes, fills the part and the dresses of Janet Leigh, Psycho’s lead actress—the one who gets stabbed in the shower.

Joining her is James D’Arcy, Danny Huston and Jessica Biel. All of these actors do an admirable job—except for Biel, who just chews scenes and drops lines that may have worked if a better actress was delivering them.

Where the film goes wrong is the overlong time spent on Hitchcock’s personal life. The film never is able to portray it well, so it feels like an element they should have done away with, or at least have dedicated more time to.

That being said, it’s hard not to enjoy Hitchcock. Its flashes of brilliance may at times seem far between, but they are almost totally justifiable because of a playful script and an even more playful cast that’s led by Hopkins. For film buffs, this film is a must see, but for those who don’t know who Alfred Hitchcock is, maybe it’s better to wait on this one.