Review of Rear Window (1954) by Allan C — 29 Mar 2015

I had an opportunity to see a Fathom Events big screen showing of this film, though it was disappointingly a digital projection and not a film print. The screening had some serious color issues than rendered some of the darker scenes nearly unwatchable.

I'd had the opportunity once before to see this film on the big screen that was a gorgeously restored print. I with that had been the case here. Regardless, this is a true classic film. For anyone who's never seen a Hitchcock film on the big screen, it's a completely different experience compared to watching it on TV and "Rear Window" is one of the best examples of this.

Sitting in a theater, the audience participates in James Stewards voyeurism and you absolutely get the sense that you're starting across a courtyard into another building. And the moment you think a character in the other building is about to make eye contact with you, your heard just jumps! Besides being an expertly crafted suspense film and a sightly written story, which almost exclusively takes place in Stewart's apartment, you have the absolutely gorgeous Grace Kelly, in what I would argue is her best and most fitting role.

Kelly is absolutely charming in her icy onscreen manner. Thelma Ritter also delivers a wonderful performance as the tart tongued working class insurance company nurse hired to take care of Stewart while he recovers from his injuries, who is a perfect foil to Kelly's properness.

This one is essential viewing for any filmgoer. And look fast for Kathryn Grant as one of the party goers at the songwriter's party.