Vouyerism: A House Role

The major theme of the Rear Window film is the theme of obsession and human curiosity. The notion of Voyeurism is used to signify the name of the game that is played in the film. In general, I would characterize the film as truly brilliant and suspenseful. In fact, the film has all the chances to be regarded as one of the best films ever filmed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film is known to possess suspense as well as a humor and specific look at the relationships.

Rear Window was entirely filmed on one set. The film also has what is called “a very realistic apartment courtyard”. (Lynch J., Rear Window http://www.loti.com/fifties_movies/Rear_Window.htm) The courtyard itself has a very specific structure: it is being comprised of 31 apartments.

The main actor of the film is Jeff (James Stewart). Jeff is a professional photographer. The film depicts Jeff as a guy who has broken his leg while trying to take a picture of a race car accident. As a result, Jeff had to sit at home. Being confined to a wheel chair he engaged himself into the other activity - watching the life of its neighbors. He was watching them from the courtyard through his apartment’s rear windows. Jeff carried on a busy life. His activities started from the daily visit from his nurse, Stella and finished with the visits of

his girlfriend. These activities were the only activities that kept Jeff from spying on his neighbors activities.

One night Jeff watches a horrible scene: Jeff suspects as his neighbor is murdering his sick wife. Jeff tells the truth to Lisa and Stella. Altogether they are trying to convince the police that there is a need for arrest.

I would say that “Rear Window” is one of the most intricate films I have seen. The film has its own character that is being created on the basis of courtyard analysis. The set of the film is very simple: the film simply depicts the backs of several multi-level apartment buildings. However, the film is very specific. I would go so far as to say that the film has its own moods and secrets.

I liked the work of Alfred Hitchcock. The main reason for that is the fact that the author of the film allows the audience to become the observers of the acts committed by different people. The key player of the film is L.B. Jeffries. This role is played by James Stewart, who is known for becoming a voyeur - a person that is being engaged in the specific game. That game is based on the following principle: a person is given a chance to give sneaking glances into the private worlds of his neighbors. In this way, a person receives a chance to intrude into the private life of the people who have nothing to do with that person. The private worlds of the people are limited to the tangle of fire escapes and studio apartments and kitchenettes. As a matter of fact, Jeff had got a chance to observe the “inner” life of his neighbors, thus intruding in their personal life that was often filled with disappointment, loneliness and despair. Thus, Jeff was fully aware of the troubles people might have encountered in their everyday life.

Let’s pay more attention to Jeff itself. Jeff is a professional photographer whose life is temporarily suspended. There were many chances when people were able to see the backdrop of apartments out Jeffries’ windows. The side scene includes Jeff’s wheelchair and leg cast, his smashed cameras and photographs, and a stack of Life Magazines. When to characterize Jeff itself, I would describe him as s very active person who likes to take a look at the life of the other people. Jeff is a kind of a voyeur – a person that observes the life of the other people. This fact is even more apparent when we will learn about Jeff’s occupation (Jeff is a photographer)

In general, the film is focused over the topic of voyeurism. In the case with Rear Window voyeurism is spying on his neighbors, including the nubile dancer dubbed “Miss Torso,” concerned with spying. To conclude, I did enjoyed the film. The film is very interesting and entertaining. What has contributed to my understanding of the film is the very understanding of voyeurism.

                                                              Bibliography:

Lynch J., Rear Window http://www.loti.com/fifties_movies/Rear_Window.htm