Very good Hitch.... but not exactly great

Rating: 8/10 (15 December 2011)

When it comes to Hitchcock and 1954 I'll take DIAL 'M' FOR MURDER any day over REAR WINDOW. I've noticed more issues with this film this second time around than I did on my first viewing. It's still a very solid movie with that meticulous Hitchcock touch in every scene - the way Hitch's production team recreated that whole apartment complex on the back lot and the classic camera movements of cinematographer Robert Burks. But I was a bit less impressed with it this time around and I noticed some guffaws that I didn't notice before. The film actually feels a bit too long - especially for a film which consists of a single set and of a guy sitting in a wheelchair and spying on his neighbors for the entire run-time. I mean it has the run-time of your typical Bond film. I think 30 minutes could have easily been cut and it would have made for a tighter picture.
Then there is the rather far-fetched idea that a girl like Grace Kelly is basically throwing herself at the feet of Grampa Jimmy Stewart who is just a sour puss and wants to do nothing but look through his binoculars the whole day. I really didn't notice this laughable concept the first time around for some odd reason. I mean just one look at Grace Kelly would have cured me immediately. Voila!! Leg instantly healed!! But this old geezer just wants to lounge around his rear window.
Then there is the laughable scene with Raymond Burr taking like 5 minutes to reach Jimmy Stewart who is sitting like 7 feet away in his wheelchair. Burr takes a step... then... BAM... a flash goes off... Burr stops... rubs his eyes... takes another step... BAM... flash goes off again... Burr stops... rubs his eyes. Hey buddy, listen, how about just lunging at that helpless cripple instead of doing this laughable Frankenstein's monster/mummy walk? And then there is the really laughable sped-up footage near the end as the cops rush over to help Jimmy Stewart - like in an old silent movie. And the ludicrous way in which Jimmy falls out his window. I swear that was a howler!! Hahaha!!
Had it really been that long since I saw this film last? I don't remember it being such an unintentional comedy. Needless to say FRENZY has now taken the #5 spot in the Hitch pantheon and I guess REAR WINDOW is now at #6. I guess it seems like I'm bashing this film. It's just that for some reason I saw many more goofs this time around and for such a masterpiece that's one goof too many. I still think the film has a wonderful look and an amazing set. The spying of the neighbors is very well done. Grace Kelly is to die for!! And Jimmy is good as always. I just didn't buy into their romance (or lack thereof). Even in the suspense department I think Hitch has done much better in other films.