What makes Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window a classic?

    There aren’t many definitive ways to determine what qualifies as a 'classic' and what doesn’t. Generally, the concept relies on two main factors: when it was created and the nuances it introduces. Classics are often works that 'did it first,' or were the first to convey a particular message in a large way. Classic books are typically well-written and more than fifty years old. Films, which is a medium of artistic expression that hasn’t been around nearly as long as literature, are also considered classics when they are beautifully crafted and usually about fifty years old. But what both books and films share as 'classics' is their ability to express a familiar idea that plays with timeless moral dilemmas in a fresh way.

    Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954) remains as a timeless classic as it uses cinematography to play with everlasting ethical dilemmas. The film centers on L.B. Jeffries, who is a photographer confined to his wheelchair from his injury and observes his neighbors through their windows. Throughout the movie, it explores the ethical and psychological consequences of voyerism. Of which is a growing issue that has become increasingly more relevant in the digital age of surveillance with social media and online oversharing. Through social platforms like Instagram or TikTok, it opens the figurative curtains into our private lives and makes us both victims and participators of voyeristic culture.

In this scene, Jeffries uses an almost comically large camera to spy on the lives of his neighbors. From an outside perspective, his behavior seems odd and even creepy. However, the plot follows Jeffries’ character as he transforms into a sort of hero, ultimately solving a murder mystery right from his apartment window. Jeffries' physical confinement to his apartment makes his life seem solitary and isolated, only having Stella or Lisa - and occasionally Detective Doyle - visit him in his small apartment. This physical and psychological isolation mirrors many viewers' experiences in the modern day, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's portrayal of loneliness and the human desire for connection resonates deeply with contemporary audiences.

    Rear Window endures as a classic because it not only entertains modern viewers but also challenges people to confront timeless questions about morality, technology, and human relationships. Its relevance continues as our world grapples with similar ethical dilemmas and social challenges, ensuring its place in the canon of great cinema.