I’m sure people have left themselves blue in the face talking about all of the virtues of Rear Window over the past fifty or so years. Clearly, it is one of the most exquisitely crafted films that has ever been made. Hitchcock is widely regarded as a master, and what he did in this film is a big reason why. It works as a slow burn better than most anything else I’ve ever seen. The characters and performances are memorable and iconic. The way the film takes place in that one back alley, but always keeps moving, always stays interesting, even though you’re trapped in one place just like the broken legged protagonist played by Jimmy Stewart; it could only have been pulled off by a genius filmmaker at the top of his game. There’s really not much to add to the discussion of this one. Other than I guess: Grace Kelly. That’s some good Grace Kelly.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Short Round: Rear Window (1954) ****/*****
I’m sure people have left themselves blue in the face talking about all of the virtues of Rear Window over the past fifty or so years. Clearly, it is one of the most exquisitely crafted films that has ever been made. Hitchcock is widely regarded as a master, and what he did in this film is a big reason why. It works as a slow burn better than most anything else I’ve ever seen. The characters and performances are memorable and iconic. The way the film takes place in that one back alley, but always keeps moving, always stays interesting, even though you’re trapped in one place just like the broken legged protagonist played by Jimmy Stewart; it could only have been pulled off by a genius filmmaker at the top of his game. There’s really not much to add to the discussion of this one. Other than I guess: Grace Kelly. That’s some good Grace Kelly.
