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MOVIES REAR WINDOW
Jimmy Stewart is Jefferies, a photographer who has been in an accident, and is confined to a wheelchair in his New York City apartment for 7 weeks. He's already been there for 6 weeks when we're introduced to him, during a heatwave that keeps all of his neighbor's windows open. He occupies his bored time with watching his neighbors out his back window. We are immediately sucked into his voyeuristic ways due to the incredible setups and cinematography of Hitchcock. The action of the entire movie takes place within his apartment. The audience is confined to his apartment. We only see what he can see. We only hear what he can hear (Including the soundtrack - ingeniously provided by one of his neighbors!). It's like a Seinfeld episode... the whole movie is in the apartment, and the movie itself is basically about nothing. Well, there is the main plotline of the neighbor who's been acting suspicious, and his missing wife. That causes Jefferies to cry "Murder" but no one is listening, and he's trapped in his wheelchair. There's also the voyeurism plot, the love story of everyman Jefferies and his high living girlfriend (Kelly), and the individual storylines of each of his neighbors (all of which are interesting!). When you think about what happens in this movie and realize it's not much, and then look back and remember that you were captivated for the entire 2 hours, you then appreciate the genius that was Hitchcock. This film has nothing much going on in it. But it brings the peeping tom right out of you. You're watching the neighbors just like Jefferies. You're wondering what they're all doing. You wonder what happens when you can't see, based on what you do see happening. The camera never leaves his apartment and we feel as trapped as Jefferies. There are so many scenes without dialogue and they are all interesting, some even suspenceful! The use of the neighbors and the interaction of them and Jefferies are great. There's Mrs. Lonely Hearts Club, who reminds us how Jefferies could end up if he breaks up with Kelly, and who provides us with a difficult scene pulled off splendidly by Hitch (it's the scene when she finally finds someone to bring home.) There's the bickering married couple whose marriage seems to end pretty suddenly (who's story pretty much takes over the second half of the film), and the newlyweds who mostly keep their shades drawn (wink, wink). There's so many I can't get into them all. But it's amazing how they all interact and relate back to Jefferies life. "Rear Window" is truly a great work of art. Amazing how so little can mean so much. Quality: 8.5 Visuals:
8.0 Intensity: 7.0 reviewed
2004
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