Review of Rear Window (1954) by John O — 31 Mar 2012

****WATCH THIS INSTEAD OF DISTURBIA****.

Sometimes it's not what you see... It's what you didn't see.

Hitchcock was a known voyeur, he enjoyed being on the outside looking in. Many of his films have dealt with voyeurism, but none more than Rear Window.

The Story: A photographer stuck in a wheel chair after an accident takes to watching his neighbors across the street. While watching the lives of the people around him unfold, he stumbles onto what he thinks might be murder. Investigating to the best of his ability, and with the help of his care taker and girlfriend, they find that maybe things aren't always what they appear...It's said to be one of Hitchcocks most suspenseful films, and it's true that it has its fair share of edge of your seat thrills, but the thrills don't really come in until somewhat late in the film. It's a great premise, and you'll really feel like you're looking out your own window, the set used was one of his most ambitious. It moves along at a moderate pace, it's not always the fastest moving film, but it's not really an incredibly slow moving film either, and the things that were done with the camera were just pure genius.

The Cast: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter...These three make this film worth watching. The chemistry between all of them is so authentic that you'll have no choice but to care about them. James Stewart, L. B. Jefferies, is wheelchair bound after a risky photo shoot. He spends his days and nights looking out his windows (hence the name Rear Window), through binoculars and a camera. He's charming here, and you'll definitely feel as though you're sitting with right next to him throughout the entire film, and once it's over you won't want to leave. Grace Kelly, elegant and beautiful in the most classical of ways, lights up the stage like no other leading lady in a Hitchcock film. You'll feel for her and fear for her, as she literally takes matters into her own hands. Thelma Ritter, is the care taker, you'll be happy she's there. She puts a little straight forward common sense into the film. There you have it, one of his greatest casts in one of his greatest films.

One to Five Scale: 5.

It takes a little while for the suspense to build, but once it hits, it hits like a ton of bricks. Great acting, and an ending worth waiting for, make this one a film to seek out.

Tyler.