The entire time I was watching Do You Like Hitchcock?, I was thinking to myself, “This doesn’t look like an Argento flick. Sure it had the same style and tone, but there was something that wasn’t quite right with the film. It turns out, it was a made for TV movie, so there was obviously a smaller budget for the film. But despite the fact that it was made for TV, I’ve come to the conclusion that I should move to Italy, because Do You Like Hitchcock? is full of boobs, blood, and violence. If only we could get this type of shit on American TV… then maybe my television would be more than a dust collector that occasionally gets switched on for bouts of gaming.

Argento’s Do You Like Hitchcock? is a wonderful homage to the master of suspense and horror, Alfred Hitchcock. The film borrows many elements from Hitchcock films like Rear Window and Vertigo. Argento weaves all of these references around a standard-issue thriller tale which is infused with Argento’s giallo ethos. The end result is a flick that is good enough to watch, simply for its high entertainment I.Q. and its excellent storyline. The film still suffers from low-budgetitis and it has the look of a moderately funded British sitcom, but for the most part, it’s enjoyable enough.

The movie is about a nerd who takes to spying on his neighbor across the street… a hot chick who likes to walk around naked. His spying takes a turn from innocent voyeurism when the hot chick’s mother is murdered. Convinced that the girl has something to do with the murder, he begins following her around and taking his spying to a new level… in America, we call it stalking. Things become more dangerous and mystery ensues. It’s a standard-issue plot, but Argento develops it effectively enough to make it work.

The cast of the film leaves a little to be desired, especially the main character. The cast is made up of Italian actors, who most of us in the states have never heard of or seen. Elio Germano, who plays the main character Giulio, is a nerdy sort, and you never quite buy his performance. Germano seems a little low-rent in the role. Then there are the three chicks in the film, all of whom get naked at one point or another. Chiara Conti and Elisabetta Rocchetti play the two mysterious women of the group. They aren’t given very many lines, and you can sort of tell why. Christina Brondo, who plays Arianna, Giulio’s girlfriend, is serviceable, but her character is so bone-headed and annoying that it makes it seem as if she’s acting bad. The only quality performance in the film comes from Ivan Morales as Andrea, a video store clerk who is likeable and funny at the same time.

Everything here is working towards average, and the film would probably be better if it didn’t have such a stupid ending. The film is about ten minutes too long, and it’s extended in the most hamfisted manner. The end of the film makes no sense it all, and the only reason I can think of for the ending being so bad is that they needed to make it longer.

Still, it’s a run of the mill Argento flick, and that makes it better than most thrillers you’d be able to get your hands on. If you know nothing about Alfred Hitchcock or his movies, then you’ll probably miss out on the most enjoyable level of the film. Without an appreciation for Argento’s references, the film becomes somewhat subpar.

Final Synopsis: If you like Argento, thrillers, and Alfred Hitchcock references, then you should definitely check it out. It’s not the greatest film, but there is some entertainment going on here.

Points Lost: -1 for a dumb ending, -1 for poor acting, -1 for a cheap look, -1 for the Arianna character

Lesson Learned: Spying on your neighbors is ok… if you suspect them of murder.

Burning Question: Seriously… what the fuck is the Arianna character thinking at the end of the movie?

Do You Like Hitchcock?
6/10

Do You Like Hitchcock? (2005) - New DVD Movie Reviews6.0101

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