Rear Window

Continuing with the research for our set, we watched ‘Rear Window’ directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The main character, wheel chair bound after breaking one of his legs has taken an interest into his neighbour’s windows. He is a photographer by profession and finds himself surrounded by new interesting and intriguing subjects plus his own inquisitive nature. The audience is introduced to the names of his neighbour’s by the main character at the beginning of the film. The camera moves through the layers, which create the set giving different viewpoints for the audience and a sense of dimension. The open, big windows create interesting perspectives capturing the actions of his neighbour’s and giving him an insight into their lives. Throughout the film there is an enormous emphasis on what can be seen through a window and what can only be speculated on. The use of light and dark also plays a big role in creating visually stimulating viewpoints. With the use of shadows the main character thinks a murder is being committed. By creating a visual representation using shadows, suspicion is cast upon the husband of the wife who is believed to have been killed. After this he quickly becomes addicted to watching the apartment directly opposite from his and begins to predict and speculate on the supposed murder. These psychological mannerisms the director suggests through the awkwardness of his interactions as he watches, taking on the role of a Peeping Tom.  The prolonged isolation that the main character endures through his lack of mobility, shows another side to his personality, focusing on his surroundings, leaving behind his exciting and action packed life as a well known photographer.