Rear Window [1954] - My first Hitchcock

Rating: 9/10 (21 April 2008)

I decided to go with one of the more interesting looking, highly rated classics so as to pique my interest and hopefully set me off on a Hitchcockean journey.
I wasn't left deflated either. Hottest glamour property at the time this was sort of the bringing together of the Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman of the day and their chemistry far exceeds those two. You can see why Hitchcock used them frequently and I'm only surprised he didn't use them together more.
Their relationship in Rear Window is an interesting one, and for me is more central to the film than the actual murder or "rear window" aspects. The murder story simply serves to bring them together. Both are eminently likable and I was particularly fond of Jeffies. A mans man who, even at his age, is uncertain of what he really wants from life, even when the stunningly perfect Lisa Fremont comes into his life. However, the murder and the situations that Lisa puts herself in to prove her mans theory ultimately makes him realise his love for her and that is my favourite part of the story, over and above the murder theme.
However, this is Hitchcock, so one can't ignore the fact that this is a murder story. The final sequence of the film was a tad 'tied-on', speaking from the point of view of someone who likes a good twist, but that doesn't matter, the whole voyeuristic experience of being in Jeffries room looking on over those people who don't know you're looking was genius and keeps you riveted. The moment where Thorwald realises he's being watched from the opposite window is one of those "HE'S ACTUALLY LOOKING AT ME" moments and was done superbly.