Rear Window 70th Anniversary Edition. (5 of 5)
I recently watched the 70th anniversary theatre
re-release of Hitchcock’s finest work (in my opinion) of Rear Window. If you haven’t seen it, or haven’t heard of
it; shame on you. You have probably been
too busy watching “Fast and Furious” movies and mouth breathing, in which case,
see your way out.
Just in case, the story revolves around a wheelchair-bound adventure
photographer who is cooped up in his elevated apartment overlooking a NYC
courtyard where many of the apartment dwellers can be observed. Stewart engages in some mild people watching
to pass the time, assigning nicknames to the residents that he observes as they
plod through there seemingly mundane lives.
However, as this is a Hitchcock movie; eventually, things are not always
as they seem. The movie quickly blurs
the line between film and audience, making us a part of the voyeurism; unable to look
away or discern if what we are viewing is everyday life, or something far more
disturbing.
Parallel to the story is Stewart’s relationship with his
love interest. NY socialite, and one of
the most beautiful women from any era; Grace Kelly. Their story / friction is more meaningful to
me now; after navigating into real adulthood and fatherhood; considering the
self-sabotage that plagues all of us as we struggle to determine what is
important to us in a partner or career arc.
One could get very philosophical at the juxtaposition of a
70 year old movie about mild, non-sexual voyeurism induced boredom; versus our
current society’s grotesque obsession with all things reality TV, social media
and the misguided belief that anyone’s life is any more interesting than one’s
own. To say nothing of the equally
gross idol worshipping that some are so prone to…but I won’t.
A few things to marvel at in the movie.
1. There are
only a couple of camera angles used during the entire movie. Predominately just POV shots from Stewart.
2. Several very long “one-take” shots where the
camera never leaves the characters or has any “jump cut”
3. Stewart was 46 in the movie. (In real life) I’m 46.
He’s way better looking than me but FAR older looking.
4. The suspense is palpable. I had the pleasure of taking my 12 year old
daughter who became visibly nervous during several moments. Hitchcock brilliance!
5. Be on the look out for the always present, very
brief Alfred Hitchcock cameo; his signature move.
Find a way to watch this movie.
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