Izzy Matossi
American StudiesOctober 1, 2007
REAR WINDOW ESSAY
The wonderfully crafted movie called “Rear Window” was directed by one of the world’s most amazing and inspirational people who lived at that time. His name was Alfred Hitchcock. “Rear Window” is a movie about a famous photographer named L.B. Jefferies, who had severely broken his leg. In the despair of being stuck in his apartment for seven weeks, he takes an interest of watching a suspicious neighbor whose wife had recently disappeared. Together he, his girlfriend, and the nurse investigate. This movie was, for the most part, filmed in one apartment. This movie could have been very boring, but, the way Mr. Hitchcock fills it with suspense, makes it an enjoyable flick that will keep you guessing.
Alfred Hitchcock’s film, “Rear Window” is riveting, is how he creates suspense through shadows and lighting. An example would be when the mysterious shadow creeps over Mr. Jefferies while he is sleeping. You wonder what is going to happen. You get anxious. When Mr. Thorwald enters the apartment in the dark, with no lights on, and only a shadow of him standing at the door way, you get excited because you want to know what is going to come next in the following scene, Now that is all excitement!
Another way “Rear Window” is full of surprises, is by the way he creates suspense through silence. As odd as that may sound, it is amazing how this is true. When Mr. Thorwald is talking on the phone, long distance, you can tell he is trying to keep his wife from hearing. And you wonder who he is talking to, and how it will tie in later in the story. As his wife comes in and they talk, you wonder with anxiousness what she has discovered and found out. You feel drawn to what you think will happen next.
He also creates suspense through the scene itself. This is one of the most important and popular ways of creating suspense. Another good example of how this is true is when Mr. Thorwald is putting away all those knives and saws rapped up in newspaper. It makes you wonder what he is doing with them, and what he has done. What will happen next? Through anxiousness and excitement in a very suspenseful way. The things that Mr. Jefferies isn’t supposed to be seeing through his apartment, is right there creating suspense itself. You are wondering why he had those knives and saws in the first place.
Alfred Hitchcock did a wonderful job of making this movie interesting an a suspenseful film to view. I really enjoyed the fact that he was able to put you inside all the main characters minds. What they thought, I thought, and what they predicted or assumed, I did the same. I am looking forward to watching many more of Alfred Hitchcock’s classics.
