Enthralling mystery that shines with obsession

Rating: 9/10 (6 March 2009)

Photojournalist Jeffries (Stewart) suspects his neighbour (Burr) of murdering his wife.
Rear Window is a film that will make you smile. Rear Window is that first breathe of fresh air in the morning. Rear Window is vintage mystery and uncontrollable excitement.
Alfred Hitchcock's mystery drama starts with an artistic and unbelievably long opening shot covering all the windows and apartments from the point of view of James Stewart's Jeffries. Almost as long as the opening to Robert Zemeckis' Back to the Future opening montage this is superb sophistication in justifying the surroundings. Long and spontaneous this opening shows many people but little of the story, which makes for an engaging viewing.
The settings for this film are amazing. Having all the shots filmed from the point of view from Jeffries' apartment would apparently limit Hitchcock's approach to the story but in fact gives a widespread account of the world around the central character. Point of views, long and short shots Rear Window is able to justify the intensity of the mystery at hand. Not to mention wonderful tracking shots and an especial use of moving from place to place in a fluid and controlled sophistication.
The whole mystery aspect will keep you entwined right until the end. There is simply no let up and with so many possible plot holes you have yourself a tale that will keep you hooked until all the holes are reformed.
This wouldn't have been so sophisticated hadn't it been for Stewart's obsessed and paranoid character. Good performance by the It's a Wonderful Life star but the talented approach to the narrative is what gets the blood pumping. The script is handled in a delicate and simplistic way but making it consistently enthralling and engaging for viewers of any age. The question of whether the murder happened or not is open right until the racing finale with the viewer always questioning Jeffries' obsessive nature deluding himself from the truth.
There are continuous twists and turns in the tale of the supposed murder but the use of spying helps give an idea of obsession and lack of health. Not to mention the fact that important points happen away from the main focus, giving the film a hidden depth along with a wonderful central story, making a wonderful artistic mystery.