Thrown into the film.

Rating: 8/10 (5 January 2006)

These types of films really transcend for me if done skillfully. That is, ones about films. Sometimes even commenting about the very makings of themselves.
Here our hero is a photographer (Hitchcock) who, upon experiencing a drama, gives his own treatment to the drama itself, as accentuated by the cop buddy, who tells him directly that he is creating his own version. God creates Hitchcock, who creates Jeff, who creates his story.
Along the way there are various comments being made about film-making. The camera Jeff uses to get a better look. Also, the very tools of the trade are compartmentalized, each given a "window" to be viewed through. One window for the score, one for the choreography, etc.
But the thing that sets this film apart is the way the audience is pulled into the experience. The dark, comfortable theater is actually Jeff's apartment, a notion that remains consistent throughout. That is, until the end when we are thrown out of our "window" and into the film itself. Now that's engaging drama.
Jeff is also you and I, and we also are free to create our own versions of what we see, as I have done here.