Blog Post for Rear Window

Jimmy Stewart was a Hollywood icon. So was Grace Kelly. And so was Alfred Hitchcock. What viewers get in Rear Window was a collision course of their talents. I, like I presume many modern Americans, identify Stewart with his iconic role as George Bailey in the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life. Somehow, I had never seen another of his movies. So, to go from that image of him to peeping-tom and amateur sleuth Jeff was quite interesting. Once you hear his iconic drawl and not have it come out of George’s mouth, it is almost like a shock to the system. Anyway, what we get hear is a movie that overall surprised me throughout. For one, going in with high expectations because of its fame and the names littering its cast and crew, I was shocked by the fact that I was not loving it at first. But then, I realized, almost without noticing, the growing suspense building within me as I watched. I found myself surprised by how caught up I found myself in the final moments as Lisa is caught in the apartment and the neighbor goes after Jeff. As the movie concluded, I found myself thinking about how it was so well done from beginning to end. It might not be my favorite movie in the world, but I overall liked it. Through his editing, directing, and story, Hitchcock slowly builds great suspense. The viewer does not know where to look, whether it is at the murdered dog, the lonely woman we fear will kill herself, or the suspicious actions of the neighbor across the way. The viewer is unsure who to believe, Jeff or his cop friend Doyle. Was there a murder or has Jeff just lost his senses? Not only does the movie grip one with its suspense, it tells us something about voyeurism, both good and bad. It shows the good that can come from watchful neighbors and being aware of one’s surroundings. But it also serves as a warning of the dangers of peeping. Had the man actually been innocent, this movie feels a whole lot different. Overall, a very interesting take.