"Close the Curtain... Please!" (Spoiler)

Rating: Null/10 (29 July 2004)

The writing for "Rear Window" is little more than an insult to the intelligence of modern day man. Understand that, based on the chronology of my all time favorite films I do have the ability to watch a piece from this era realistically, giving all the necessary consideration to when it was made.
First of all, most of the eventual suspicions acted upon by the cast are thin at best. The ones they're built on, (the basis for Stewart's initial disturbance) are completely unwarranted. There simply isn't enough evidence to ignite the investigation.
The culprit, (Raymond Burr), is suspected of killing and dismembering his wife. The viewing audience is expected to believe that he meticulously disposes of the body with the exception of her head, which, if I'm not mistaken, he buries in the flowerbed outside his own apartment building. Come on, this guy's not portrayed as a serial killer so don't give me that "subliminal need to be caught" crap!
When the neighbors little dog becomes curious and begins digging in the garden he promptly becomes the films second casualty. Instead of properly disposing of the tiny carcass it is left lying on the walkway beside the flowerbed, sending its owner and the rest of the complex into a state of panic. Was he nearly caught in the Act? I don't know, give me at least a slight indication! I could go on and on. The nighttime voyeurism from Stewart's window with the room brightly lit, etcÂ… More disturbing than anything else was the dialogue. I don't believe that people communicated in this manner in the fifties, or anytime in the twentieth century for that matter. The conversations between Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly are like a psychotic production of Shakespeare meets The Farmer in the Dell. Oddly enough the one refreshingly realistic role was that of Thelma Ritter, who plays Jimmy Stewart's home healthcare worker.
Rear Window is worth watching, if for no other reason than to witness Hitchcock's phenomenal camera work. I am a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock. Unfortunately, three of his most popular films, (Psycho excluded), are three of my all time least favorite. In fact, the nicest thing that I can say about this movie is that it wasn't nearly as bad as "Vertigo".
A foot note. It might surprise you to know that I've seen this film many times. You see; I have insomnia and there is a classic movie channel that plays it late at night on a semi-regular basis. For me the viewing experience comparable to a shot of Nyquil and three Zanax.