Welcome to my inaugural Alfred Hitchcock movie review! Today, we’re diving into the classic 1954 thriller Rear Window, starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly.
Hitchcock, the “master of suspense,” lived up to his reputation with Rear Window. The film’s opening 40 minutes might feel a bit slow, but once it picks up steam, it reveals why it’s considered a timeless classic. With an impressive IMDb rating of 8.4 at the time of writing, it’s a film that’s certainly worth exploring.
We adore James Stewart, but the first 20 minutes of him maneuvering around with a leg cast can be a bit tedious. However, patience pays off as the story unfolds.
Plot Overview
Rear Window is unique in its perspective, confining the audience to view everything from the vantage point of the main character, L.B. ‘Jeff’ Jefferies (James Stewart). Jeff is a photographer who’s temporarily wheelchair-bound due to a broken leg from a previous accident.
His sole source of entertainment becomes spying on his neighbors through his apartment window, facing a courtyard. If only our own quarantines could be so captivating—minus the murder, of course!
Armed with binoculars and a powerful camera lens, Jeff becomes engrossed in his neighbors’ lives, giving them quirky nicknames. When he suspects one neighbor (Raymond Burr) of murdering his wife and disposing of her body in a suitcase, Jeff enlists the help of his stylish love interest, Lisa (Grace Kelly), to investigate.
True to Hitchcock’s style, suspense builds gradually to a gripping climax, with Lisa confronting the murderer and the murderer discovering Jeff’s suspicions, leading to a tense showdown.
The Inspiration
Hitchcock’s Rear Window is loosely based on Cornell Woolrich’s short story of the same name and draws inspiration from two real-life cases involving men who killed their wives or mistresses and disposed of their bodies in a gruesome manner.
The Set
Hitchcock spared no expense in creating the film’s set, which became the largest indoor set at Paramount Studios. It took months of meticulous planning and construction to build 31 apartments, eight of which were fully furnished, complete with electricity and running water.
Characters
James Stewart as L.B. ‘Jeff’ Jefferies James Stewart plays a roving photographer who’s now confined to a wheelchair due to his broken leg. His adventure-loving spirit clashes with his current situation, leading him to spy on his neighbors for entertainment. Despite his fascination with his neighbors, he shows a noticeable lack of interest in Lisa, especially during their intimate moments.
Grace Kelly as Lisa Carol Fremont
Grace Kelly’s portrayal of Lisa is a glamorous socialite with a penchant for fashion. She wants Jeff to abandon his nomadic lifestyle and settle down with her. Her character was inspired by Kelly herself, as screenwriter John Hayes interviewed her to shape the role. Fun fact: this is the only film where Grace Kelly is seen smoking, which is quite unusual given her usual refusal to do so on screen.
Raymond Burr as Lars Thorwald
Raymond Burr delivers a chilling performance as Lars Thorwald, the film’s antagonist. A traveling jewelry salesman with a contentious marriage, Lars becomes increasingly menacing as the story progresses. Hitchcock masterfully builds suspense around Burr’s character, who is initially perceived as harmless but later reveals his true, terrifying nature.
Romance and Chemistry
One notable aspect of Rear Window is the lukewarm romantic chemistry between Jeff and Lisa. Their interactions often feel more like a backdrop to the central mystery rather than a compelling romance. The film’s climax, however, does see Jeff’s feelings for Lisa intensify as they face danger together, suggesting that solving a murder and escaping peril might just be the key to igniting romance
