Rear Window




Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence.

The first time I ever watched Rear Window, I was honestly disappointed. I asked myself, where's the terror, the fireworks? Something seemed to be missing. This was supposed to be Hitchcock at his finest. Yes, I thought it was good, but nothing special. Still, entertaining movies that occur on basically one set don't come along often, I had to give it that. But the more I see it, the more I like it. In fact, you could say that it has grown on me.

L. B. Jefferies is an avid photographer who is currently confined to his apartment because of a broken leg. To pass the time, he watches his neighbors out his rear window, which opens into a courtyard. The residents there are many different characters that lead many different kinds of lives. Rarely do we hear them speak, but through the film you basically get to know them. One neighbor in particular (Raymond Burr) catches Jefferies' attention. When the man's wife disappears and he begins acting strangely, Jeff begins to suspect that he murdered her. At first his high-class girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) and his wise cracking nurse (Thelma Ritter) don't believe him. But soon they are all investigating Mr. Thorwald and what became of his wife.

Great characterization is done in almost all the characters. Even the neighbors who we merely watch are drawn out farther than most movies ever attempt. Hitchcock gives us a peek into their lives, showing them at their best and worst. At times heart breaking, amusing and erotic, a bit of everything is mixed in.

The mystery and suspense of this movie begins almost casually, but it soon engrosses the movie. It merges and eventually ends the lighter beginning of the movie, where we are given a few laughs and innocent observations that get us acquainted with Jeff's neighbors. The movie balances the two almost perfectly, making for an interesting blend.

The love story between Jeff and Lisa is terrific in true Hitchcock form. This romance is so unlikely, yet Stewart and Kelly make it so believable. They are complete opposites. Lisa is of a sophisticated breed who secretly doesn't care for her lifestyle while Jeff loves what he does, willing to tramp through any terrain for his job. They both know that neither wants the other's lifestyle, but they are in love. In the beginning Jeff tells us how "perfect, too perfect" Lisa is. He almost breaks it off with her. But by the end he begins to see that she isn't all lilies and laces.

Like I said, Stewart and Kelly do fine work here. Also worth mentioning is Thelma Ritter as the brutally honest nurse who is always ready with a quip. But the spotlight is on Hitch, who brings us this story of many levels. Whether it is a deliberation on murder, voyeurism, love or marriage, Hitchcock delivers them all in ample doses.

This movie was definitely worth repeated viewings. Hitchcock brings us a tale so unlikely to be entertaining, suspenseful or spellbinding. Yet he masterfully delivers on all counts.



-The Gnome