My favourite Hitch

Rating: 9/10 (20 January 1999)

Rear Window really has to be the Seinfeld of Film. The film really is about nothing, yet succeeds in being one of the greatest films of all time. The acting is superb, plot is very original and of course Hitchcock's direction brings the ordinary to extraordinary.
The film revolves around the theme of privacy or otherwise the lack of it. Jimmy Stewart plays Jeff, a photographer who is confined to his home and his wheelchair after an accident. With nothing to do, he spends his days watching the antics of his neighbours through the rear window of his apartment. Other than daily visits from a nurse (Thelma Ritter)and periodic visits from his girlfriend (Grace Kelly), he basically eats, sleeps and watches the every action of his neighbours.
The story takes an interesting twist when Jeff figures that one of the neighbours he has been wacthing has killed his wife. Jeff brings this up with his girlfriend, nurse and an old wartime pal who is now a detective. At first, each of them have their doubts about Jeff's beliefs, however, it is only a matter of time until each of them are drawn into the situation as well. The last half hour of this film is done perfectly; incredibly suspenseful and yet not overpowering or unbelievable.
Grace Kelly's performance in this film is probably her best. The introduction of her into this film is remarkable and probably the object of many mens' fantasies. She maintains a level of being something more than just Jeff's girlfriend throughout the film and has incredible chemistry with Stewart, something that isn't seen in most other films. Thelma Ritter plays well in a slightly comical role as the nurse who stays true to Jeff even though he is a man that she hardly even knows. Orson Wells has such a minor role in this film and spends 95% of his screen time being watched, not heard. However, in his confrontation, he strikes fear in the viewer without even being heard before the scene.
This film is on my top ten list and deserves more exposure than other more popular Hitchcock films (Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho). Hitchcock surely did well here.
9/10 stars.