Why Rear Window is still a masterpiece thriller 65 years later

Just finished rewatching Hitcock’s film and it’s outstanding how good it holds up since 1954.

In my opinion, its biggest virtue is the setting. We as an audience are trapped in James Steward’s character point of view (him being handicapped in a wheelchair with a broken foot staring at his window). Since the movie has limited action, the suspense benefits from having just two/three characters interact with the MC, and lets us unravel the mystery through his lens, with no need for exposure dialogue. Hitchcock’s wittingly plants the seeds using misdirection but always keeping the audience committed.

Additionally, the fact that Steward’s character is at a point of physical disadvantage provides another layer keeping us wary of a potential face off against the antagonist.

I’ve always read that Hitchcock made his films with regard to our experience as audiences in mind, and Rear Window is an all-time classic because of the position that he gives us throughout the picture.

Submitted December 28, 2019 at 06:50AM by lebronjamesgoat1 https://ift.tt/2EVwWVr