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- Rear Window Plot and Cast
- Why Rear Window Is David Lynch’s Favorite Alfred Hitchcock Movie
- Praise for Rear Window
- Where to Watch Rear Window
As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of films, I can wholeheartedly agree with David Lynch’s admiration for Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece, “Rear Window.” Having watched this iconic thriller multiple times, I must confess that it has left an indelible mark on my cinematic soul.
Renowned for his chilling tales and groundbreaking cinema, Alfred Hitchcock, often referred to as the master of suspense, left an indelible mark on the horror and thriller genres by venturing into uncharted territories in terms of content and creativity. His impact has stretched across generations, reaching one of today’s most innovative filmmakers, the eccentric and adored David Lynch.
David Lynch isn’t merely a filmmaker, but a passionate enthusiast of the art form. He frequently talks about the development of the medium, praises his favorite directors, and highly values certain projects, just as swiftly as he criticizes artistic deterioration. To illustrate his disdain for watching films on unsuitable devices, Lynch often uses a mock-phone commercial to express his frustration: “If you’re watching a movie on your phone, you will never truly experience the film. You’ll think you have, but you’ve been deceived. It’s tragic that one might believe they’ve seen a film on their phone. Get real.”
Absolutely, audiences have grown accustomed to his unconventional demeanor and pay heed when a director highly recommends someone else. For instance, David Lynch, who has expressed admiration for Alfred Hitchcock, or more precisely, one of Hitchcock’s groundbreaking films in his extensive filmography. We will delve into why the movie “Rear Window” is among Lynch’s top picks and probably yours as well.
Rear Window Plot and Cast
1954 saw the debut of Alfred Hitchcock’s captivating mystery thriller. The story revolves around L.B. Jefferies (played by James Stewart), a photographer recovering from a broken leg and confined to his apartment in a wheelchair. In between visits from his girlfriend, Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly), and nurse, Stella (Thelma Ritter), Jefferies spends his time peering into the lives of his neighbors through his apartment window. It is during this observation that he develops an obsession with Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr), whose wife’s sudden disappearance piques Jeffries’ suspicions, leading him and Lisa to launch a covert investigation into Lars’ activities.
1. “The two bright yellow zinnias at the other end have become smaller lately. It’s been just two weeks, right? Flowers don’t usually shrink that quickly. There seems to be something hidden underground there.”
As Rear Window prepared for its debut, James Stewart, a renowned actor of his time, had already made a name for himself; this was his second collaboration with Hitchcock, following their work together on 1948’s Rope. Grace Kelley, a screen diva, although her career was relatively short due to her marriage to the Prince of Monaco, graced films such as Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief, and High Society. Thelma Ritter, who played the role of Jeffries’s nurse, transitioned from radio fame to becoming a fixture on the silver screen, appearing in more than 40 films. Raymond Burr, portraying the neighbor suspected of wrongdoing, would later be recognized for his role as Perry Mason, one of television’s most iconic criminal defense lawyers.
Alfred Hitchcock, renowned without saying much, is the creator behind Rear Window, his 48th full-length film. This work continues his legacy of delivering chills and thrills to American viewers. Penned by John Michael Hayes, it was inspired by a short story from Cornell Woolrich, a preferred author of Hitchcock, who often transformed Woolrich’s works into films.
Why Rear Window Is David Lynch’s Favorite Alfred Hitchcock Movie
In the book titled “Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity“, published by ArcherPerigee in 2006, filmmaker David Lynch shares insights into his career, emphasizing the impact of meditation on his creative process. He also highlights several films that have left a lasting impression on him. It is here that he expresses admiration for “Rear Window” and the work of Alfred Hitchcock.
“Although James Stewart remains in his wheelchair throughout the movie, we are led to unravel an intricate murder mystery from his perspective. Remarkably, Alfred Hitchcock skillfully compresses this grand narrative into a compact form. He accomplishes this by masterfully manipulating various filmmaking techniques.”
In addition to Jacques Tati’s “Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday” (1953) and Federico Fellini’s “8 ½” (1963), other films are also discussed. However, only Alfred Hitchcock’s work, specifically “Rear Window,” is brought up in this particular context. Notably, incorporating “Rear Window” into a novel with such personal and introspective themes supports David Lynch’s admiration for the piece over others by the legendary filmmaker.
Praise for Rear Window
For Lynch, Rear Window, an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, stands out not only as his favorite but also as one of the director’s finest, if not the pinnacle, of his illustrious career. A skillful fusion of suspense, investigation into paranoia and voyeurism, and groundbreaking cinematography makes Rear Window a beloved choice among fans. As Lynch points out, the movie’s ability to convey such a grand concept within the limited space of James Stewart’s character L.B. Jefferies’ home and mind is nothing short of remarkable. The film’s use of perspective and scale manipulation continues to impress even today, serving as a valuable lesson in visual innovation and creativity.
The film “Rear Window” is frequently lauded with near-universal critical acclaim, often ranked among the greatest movies ever made. It boasts a staggering 98% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with merely two unfavorable reviews out of a total of 130. Interestingly, only two of Hitchcock’s films have managed to secure a perfect 100%, making “Rear Window” one of his exceptional masterpieces. In contrast, the audience score is an impressive 95% based on more than 100,000 ratings. On IMDb, it holds a respectable 8.5 rating, backed by over half a million votes.
In 1997, I was honored to be chosen for preservation and added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, recognized as having significant cultural, historical, or aesthetic value – that’s me, “Rear Window.” Moreover, my influence can be seen in numerous tributes across various TV series. For instance, shows like “The Simpsons,” “That ’70s Show,” “Rocko’s Modern Life,” and even “Looney Tunes” have paid homage to me with their comedic reinterpretations of the film.
Among the many suspenseful classics Alfred Hitchcock created, like “Psycho” from 1960 and “Vertigo” from 1958, it seems quite likely that “Rear Window” is not only Lynch’s preferred film but also one you adore.
Where to Watch Rear Window
If you’re a fan of David Lynch but haven’t watched “Rear Window” yet, it’s definitely worth your time to see how this film may have influenced him. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a gripping suspense/drama with a fantastic cast, stunning visuals, and an unexpected twist ending that you haven’t seen before, I strongly recommend giving “Rear Window” a try. Although it’s not currently available on streaming platforms, you can rent the movie on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, or YouTube.
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2024-08-10 21:01