Read Window (1954)

Reviewed 07.08.2007

Wheel-chair bound photographer L.B. Jefferies (James Stewart) is recovering from a nasty broken leg at home. Not content to be visited by his beautiful girlfriend, Lisa (Grace Kelly) and lovely nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter), Jeff occupies himself through a series of constantly changing vignettes courtesy of his courtyard. He's a peeper!! Watching through the windows and his camera lens, he plays along in the lives of the courtyard inhabitants. There is the dancer, 'Miss Torso' who dances all day and dates multi-men, 'Miss Lonelyhearts' who practices dates on her own, newly-weds, a frustrated bachelor composer, newlyweds and lovers, a nearly deaf sculptor, and bedridden Mrs. Thorwald and her husband Mr. Thorwald (Raymond Burr).

Jeff's voyeurism garners the scorn of his lady friends, but when he witnesses an argument between the Thorwalds and the missus disappears, Jeff becomes convinced that Mr. Thorwald has murdered his wife. When presented with the 'facts' of the case, the three are determined to get to truth.

Some 50+ years later, Rear Window remains an effective thriller. Director Alfred Hitchcock is a master of suspense, as he allows the emotion to build until the viewer is practically at wit's end before effectively delivering a climax that leaves the heart pounding. Slowly, the viewer, alongside Jeff gets to know the comings and goings of the neighborhood. The viewer is just as suspicious when the flowers beds suddenly seem taller, the dogs disappears and suddenly Mrs. Thorwald is missing. Hitchcock gets us all to forget that we're all engaging in licentious behavior, or rather, murder is worse than what we're doing.

As with the films of this period, everything is quite dapper. Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly are beautiful on-screen. Their relationship alone, she's a high society girl; he's a nitty-gritty photographer adds another layer of interest. Hitchcock's ingenuity keeps viewer curiosity alive. Imagine the limitations of filming a courtyard and yet, he creates a vibrant little place that we actually want to watch. Just like Jefferies, we are immobilized and anxious when we feel the look of Mr. Thorwald's eyes upon us.

Rear Window is a taunt piece and fine example of classic film making. Simple in nature, but technically brilliant. Hitchcock was a master manipulator of emotions and certainly out nerves. Well worth a viewing!