Rear Window Ethics

I often have this debate with my somewhat overbearing mother as to the ethics of spying on the neighbours. Do I really want to know what they’re doing? To know that the old man to our left pays for the company of younger women or the woman to our right enjoys the old puff every once in a while? The answer is...yes! How fun it is to play the voyeur!

None of Hitchcock’s films has ever given a clearer view of his genius for suspense that 1954’s Rear Window. When professional photographer J.B Jeffries (James Stewart) is confined to a wheelchair with a broken leg, he becomes obsessed with watching the private dramas of his neighbours play out across the courtyard, when he suspects a salesman may have murdered his nagging wife, Jeffries enlists the help of his glamorous socialite girlfriend (Grace Kelly) to investigate the highly suspicious chain of events...Events that ultimately lead to one of the most memorable and gripping endings in all of film history.

This is a great film, although it does take a while to get into. It’s full of sumptuous, witty dialogue, especially between Stewart and Kelly, and Classic one-liners not likely to forget.

The performances are masterful. Thelma Ritter as Nurse Stella is fantastic. Kelly is profoundly beautiful as always! She frequently played the same characters...but boy! Is she good at it! Stewart is great too and he was looking fine until he took his shirt off and I got an eyeful of old man boobs!

The sub-plot of Miss Lonely Heart will tear at your emotions with its sad and tragic events...so be warned.

The entire picture was shot on one set, which required months of planning and construction. While shooting, Alfred Hitchcock worked only in Jeff's "apartment." The actors in other apartments wore flesh-coloured earpieces so that he could radio his directions to them. Keep a sharp eye out for the piano player! That’s Ross Bagdasarian, creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks.

This film is an undeniable classic. It’s inspired many a rip off. The Simpsons for one and DJ Caruso’s film Disturbia with Shia LeBouf is a modern retelling of the story. Enjoy the Voyeurism. Seeing isn’t always believing.