She’s like a queen bee with her pick of the drones.
Rear Window, directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, remains a masterpiece of suspense cinema that captivates audiences even decades after its release. James Stewart plays a wheelchair-bound photojournalist who spends his days watching neighbors’ lives through his window.
What I can say, however, is that Hitchcock knows how to turn a minuscule courtyard into a bubbling community. The small set forces the story to take a full view to the audience’s benefit, adding a surprising layer of depth. As the plot progresses, tension is amplified, and the viewer becomes immersed in the affairs of the apartment complex.
As Stewart’s character becomes obsessed with the mystery behind the murder, we see the direct consequences of one’s actions, however moral they may be. Rear Window is strikingly relevant in today’s age decades later, exposing the questions regarding the ethics of surveillance and eavesdropping. The score further heightens the film’s suspense while increasing tension and provoking anxiety.
I’m not well-versed in this era of cinema, and I was reluctant to write anything for this consensus timeless classic. I doubt this review did the film much justice, though I hope it might influence others to watch the movie if they have not done so already. Hitchcock truly set the stage for modern cinematography.