Alfred Hitchcock has the reputation of being one of the very best film directors. I think it may be because of his unique approach to limiting the psychological and physical space of the protagonist. In Lifeboat, for example, he limited all the action to the confined space of a single lifeboat.

Hitchcock also knew that people, in general, have insatiable curiosity and love to snoop, given the chance. He combined both of these elements in Rear Window (1954). By limiting the point of view largely to that of wheelchair bound protagonist Jimmy Stewart, we see his curiosity get the better of him as he begins to spy on the neighbors across the alleyway, first with the naked eye, then binoculars, later with a honking big telephoto lens.

Jeff (Jimmy Stewart) gets familiar with all the characters behind the windows and gives them descriptive names like Miss Torso, the Songwriter, and Miss Lonelyheart. Jeff’s nurse (Thelma Ritter) and girl (Grace Kelly) chide him that no good will come but he continues to watch. There’s something wrong with the jewelry salesman, though. Unable to sleep, Jeff sees him going out repeatedly at night with a suitcase. Meanwhile, his nag of a wife seems to be missing…

Director Alfred Hitchcock shot the film almost entirely from Jeff’s apartment, restricting himself and the viewer to Jeff’s point of view with a few exceptions. By constraining the viewer to the limited point of view, he builds tension and pokes fun at the viewer. You see, he KNOWS you like to look. I think that’s why Hitchcock is so highly regarded, with films that are otherwise a bit lackluster by today’s standards. He plays with the viewer, adding an extra dimension to the usual moviegoer's experience.

Similarly, by casting Jimmy Stewart against type as his lead and focal point, instead of a man of action/he-man type, he points up the impotence of the average film viewer, especially when it is noted that Stewart keeps on looking long after he should be DOING something. Why else would a guy with a high squeaky voice and commitment issues be attractive to a knockout like Grace Kelly? Obviously, Hitchcock is playing again, with the voyeur in us. We all want Grace Kelly (at least the men do) but won’t get her. Jimmy Stewart can get her, but he’s more interested in spying on the pesky neighbors. This transforms the film into a fantasy of the first order, as I, for my part, would be pulling the shades rather that peeking out of them had I gorgeous Princess Grace in my apartment. Watch for the scene where she kisses the camera (the viewer).

As in much of Hitchcock’s work, the sets, costuming, editing, and camerawork are beyond reproach with the apartment block set being a single set and the largest one built up to that time (1954).

Like many of Hitchcock’s fabled blond goddesses, Grace Kelly does not do much except look good here. The story is about Jimmy Stewart; as peeping tom, and the suspected murderer played by screen heavy Raymond Burr. Burr was reportedly chosen to play the character as he could be made up to look like producer David O. Selznick who had given Hitchcock trouble in the past. To further underscore the impotence of Stewart’s character, instead of pulling a gun during the crucial confrontation, he tries to fight the murderer off with flashes from his camera’s flashgun. Pretty dang worthless, if you ask me, but it allowed Hitchcock to show the point of view of Burr as his eyesight recovered from the flash.

Taken together, Rear Window is an excellent suspense thriller and should be seen by everybody. I cannot say it is the best Hitchcock, as I still believe he did better on Psycho. Maybe it’s because I like that view of Janet Leigh in sexy lingerie as she prepares for her shower…

The Universal DVD is presented in 1.66: 1 theatrical format and the film has been restored to like new. A documentary, a making-of featurette, the theatrical trailer and French and Spanish language choices come as extras.

Despite the highly contrived situation and obvious staginess of the peeping segments - why should they keep their shades open to anyone's view? - the suspense is compelling pretty much all the way through the film. I give this one four stars.

Watch a good film tonight!

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening