Spring 2014 #2: Rear Window (1954) - Alfred Hitchcock

So I realized last night when I stated that my theme was “Directors who always come up in conversation but whose films I’ve never seen,” it was basically a complete lie. Last night I saw my fourth Hitchcock film, after Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Psycho (1960), and Vertigo (1958). So let’s get started!

The story focuses on a man named L.B. Jefferies, who is confined to his room after his photography job caused him to get in an accident at the racetrack, where he broke his leg. He is played by James Stewart, the same as the protagonist from Vertigo (and It’s A Wonderful Life, which just failed to make my last list). He is stubborn, intellectual, and a bit pretentious. He spends most of his time spying on his neighbors through their windows.

His girlfriend is Lisa, played by Grace Kelly. This was actually my first Grace Kelly movie ever, which was exciting. So Lisa is basically the opposite of Jeff, she comes from an upper class background and she sells designer clothes and enjoys her lavish lifestyle. In the beginning of the film we find out Jeff is reluctant to marry her because she is “too perfect.”

Which the sassy nurse explains is stupid.

So Jeff has a neighbor living across the courtyard who has a wife that is an invalid, and one day the man is acting super suspicious, and the next day his wife is gone. He call his detective friend, who assures him that murder is not the answer. They soon begin investigating, and each piece of evidence assures the detective that the man’s wife went to stay in the country, but Jeff, Lisa, and the nurse don’t buy it.

The film is very funny at times, because it shows how glimpses into people’s private lives can be so misleading. Other critics have argued that each couple that Jeff spies on is a potential path for Lisa and Jeff’s relationship, and that’s why he is so hesitant to propose. Also Jeff has some pretty interesting neighbors, including this ballerina who has never heard of blinds before.

Anyway, the film, in typical mid-20th century fashion, is incredibly slow to start up. But Hitchcock knows his audience, and he certainly knows suspense, and I think the payoff was worth it. It had me like:

So I recommend that everyone take the time to see it. The film ranks #31 on the IMDb Top 250, and #48 on the AFI 100 Movies list. It’s no Psycho, but on the bright side it also didn’t make me afraid to shower.