Original, Suspenseful

Rating: 8/10 (11 July 2009)

This movie is what got me into Hitchcock films. Being a young buck at the age of 24, sometimes it takes a good kick-in-the-head to understand the value of good storytelling/film-making. If ANY movie these days can make me feel as gripped with anticipation, well you'll probably see a similar review from me on it's page.
The campy-ness of this film is what makes it so unique. The story virtually unfolds in front of a voyeur looking out his window. He's debilitated by a broken leg and has to stay home. Watching his neighbors becomes a consuming hobby... and he realizes that something dark and mysterious is happening at the apartment across the way.
As I said, most of the scenes play out from the perspective of looking through a window. He watches the lives of his neighbors, however whimsical... or tragic (note: the lonely woman downstairs). I haven't seen another movie like this. It's great when a film-maker can take a simple location, and a simple idea and turn it into so much more.
It doesn't help that James Stewart is one of my favorite actors of all time. If you love good cinema, and if you love suspense and mystery - I HIGHLY recommend Rear Window. I'm just disappointed that it took me so long to get around to watching it.