Starring
Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, and Raymond Burr.
"RW"
is about a wounded photographer (Stewart). His injury and lack of mobility leaves
him wheelchair bound, and requires the help of caregiver, Thelma Ritter. Stewart
is stuck to heal in his apartment in the middle of a heatwave, and out of
boredom he begins watching his neighbours. Stewart is also in an ambivalent
relationship with Grace Kelly, and he quickly loses his interest in her for the
show of his immediate community. The neighbours all have their quirks (and a
lack of blinds), but 1 neighbour in particular (Burr), seems to have murderous
intentions. Stewart becomes obsessed with what he believes is going on, and the
audience lives through his binoculars and camera's long lens as the story focuses
on the satiation of his voyeurism. As the circles of confusion come into focus,
we the audience, are left to consider the ethical quandaries that could follow
with observing the lives of others.
Despite
the fact that it's 63 years old, the restored version looks fantastic, and
Hitchcock's metaphor on film itself was ranked 53rd in Sight and Sound's 2012
poll, while it was ranked 48 in the American Film Institute's Top 100 movies of
all time. It's influence on cinema, both contemporary and classical, is strong
and broad. While the film may drag at times, once you consider that the setting
takes place essentially in just an apartment it actually moves quite fast. And
the ending's suspenseful turn of events is delightfully spine tingling. Time
may move forwards, but "Rear Window" is definitely worth looking back
through.
4/5
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