Rear Window

Starring: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Raymond Burr
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Rating: PG
Genre: Thriller
1954

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary:A photographer (James Stewart) is injured in an accident and is stuck in his apartment until he heals. Having nothing else to do, he resorts to watching his neighbors out of his window. He begins to suspect one of them of murder and with the help of his girlfriend (Grace Kelly), tries to discover if his suspicions are true or if they are simply the misinterpretation of his voyeuristic actions.

Review:

Tim: Alfred Hitchcock was amazing at taking a single location and making a perfectly interesting movie out of it. Here, the whole movie takes place in James Stewart's apartment and the view of the neighborhood from his window.

Hitchcock claimed this was the ultimate peeping-tom movie, as a man spying on his neighborhood suddenly believes a murder has taken place. Hitchcock's emphasis on the action and the result of Stewart's spying is fascinating to watch on screen.

Hitchcock's genius comes in making the film so intense and mysterious. We are riveted as we wonder whether there really was a murder or if it is a figment of Stewart's overactive mind. One minute we are completely convinced a murder did occur, and the next we're sure that Stewart just made some poor assumptions. Hitchcock keeps us guessing until the very end.

Stewart is very good in the role. He is the ideal Hitchcockian hero, and pulls the audience into the movie with his performance. His helpless status only makes the movie more nerveracking. Grace Kelly is very good as well and has great chemistry with Stewart. Her transition near the end of the film is so interesting to see.

Hitchcock working with Stewart is a dynamic partnership, and this may be the highlight of their time together. See this movie!!

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Rope, North by Northwest