Voyeristic suspense

Rating: 10/10 (20 June 2014)

I think this movie is a real masterpiece. Hitchcock's original style combined with a great cast deliver a beautiful outcome.
First of all I really enjoy the atmosphere of the movie. It is a combination of suspense and voyeurism. It is achieved by keeping us inside Jeff's apartment all the time. We look with him out of the window and this is how we get to know his neighbors and collect information and clues about the potential murder that occurred. One is always a bit on the edge wondering what really has happened and one also develops an interest in other residents of the neighborhood.
Hitchcock achieved it well by creating some outstanding residents. No, they are not the main characters and we don't even get to know them all that well, but they all have their little issues and quirks that grab our attention. Be it the great dancing of Miss Torso or our empathy for Miss Lonelyheart. He also went through doing a great casting. All those small characters are portrayed by great actors who can deliver a feeling and character without doing or saying much. Ross Bagdasarian who was the songwriter in this movie has a great resume in composing himself and his songs are still used now as soundtracks, over 40 years after his death.
The main cast was also great. I was not a fan of James Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life", but he was absolutely great in Rear Window. It was his acting and reactions towards what he saw outside his window that lead us towards our own feelings and ideas in this movie. And also that moment when he realizes that Lisa is the right woman for him, he never says it but we can see it in his face that he changed his mind about her, now she doesn't seem so different than him and unable to go for an adventure.
Grace Kelly also was shining in this movie. Didn't know her as an actress before, just as a well deserved beauty icon. But this movie showed her acting talent to me. We see her being the graceful woman with interest in fashion but we also get to see that spark in her when she is so eager to go out of the house to investigate the issue. She is very believable in it. Her character is also very great for a main female character in the 50's as she is the one who does the dangerous work since Jeff is in his cast. Sure, she doesn't want to give up her fashion magazines at the end, but why should she? She can have it all in her life, the adventure with her man, and her own personal interest.
One should not forget about Stella. The supporting character that provides us some laughter in tense situations. Thelma Ritter was great in this part. Made me check her credits and she sure had an impressive career, many classics on that list.
Last but not least, we have the guy who possibly has committed the murder. Raymond Burr did it perfectly. He has some magnetism that combined with the clues makes one think that he could do it. And yet there is some sadness and something else in him that makes one feel for him and hope that he is innocent.
A movie where everything was done right. And a very well deserved classic. Makes me want to grab binoculars and start exploring the lives of my neighbors.But in our time everyone, wisely, is using blinds.