Thoughts on Rear Window (1954) · 3:58am Jan 11th, 2019
So I just saw Rear Window.
And it was pretty great.
First off, some context. I'm taking a class this semester about Alfred Hitchcock and this was the first film of his that we saw, so I thought I ought to write about it, and the others when I saw them; so this will become a semi-weekly thing. It also means I'll be branching out from new releases.
Anyway, back to the movie.
This was the first Hitchcock movie I've seen in full, and the first I have clear memories of. And I have to say it was a great starting point. There are so many things this movie does well and not really anything bad I can think of that it does.
The cinematography and writing are a standout. The first shot pans over the courtyard that the protagonist watches throughout the film, and it shows who everyone who lives in the buildings around is and what they usually do. Most of that is pretty important to the story or at least comes back later. The shot then pans inside the apartment the protagonist is in, and it shows a shot of his legs (one of which is in a cast) and a broken camera close by. From this, the audience can deduce that he's a photographer and he got in some kind of accident. The first conversation he has, which is over the phone, helps drive it in for those of us who didn't get it.
I could gush over the writing for quite a long time, but that wouldn't leave time for anything else. I will say that the way some things are dismissed and then come back later show a great level of foresight that not every movie has. Plus, the dialogue was just clever and in many ways unexpectedly funny for a movie that I would not call a comedy.
The acting was also very well done and I was fully invested in everyone's character. They felt very much like real people and didn't feel stilted at all, unlike movies like Aquaman.
The music was also very good. Not only was it good when there was original music, but the other music from sources like a record player and a piano helped fit the tone of the movie. Plus, the lack of music in some parts was done very effectively. The music was not only good, but used carefully and effectively.
The plot is pretty simple; the protagonist spies on his neighbors through their windows and thinks one has committed a murder. I won't spoil anything here because this movie is fantastic but I will say it and the acting kept me fully invested despite me being tired and with a headache. It might not appeal to everyone but I don't think the movie is trying to. But for those who love film, I'd say it should be given a watch.
Rear Window is definitely an interesting film and I was throughly enjoying it from start to finish. It does many things right and basically nothing wrong from what I could tell. It's something many people should see, and I would probably give it a nine out of ten.
Oh my goodness. I haven't seen that film since I was a freshman :D
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I wish I had seen it earlier. I’ve kind of been in a cultural rut, so to speak, and I’m trying to diversify my tastes on things like music and movies. This class I’m taking was a good opportunity because we literally see the films in class. Cool you saw it before I did because I was missing out.