MovieChat Forums > Rear Window (1954) Discussion > Vertigo is so much better than this Garb...

Vertigo is so much better than this Garbage


This is one of the most dullest, slowest film sir Alfred Hitchcock ever crafted. Only 20% of the dialogue are related to the main plot of the movie and most of the dialogues are just too pretentious. To be honest, I really didn't care if that neighbor butchered his wife or not. I actually cared about the sad suicidal neighbor more. Just my thoughts. This is coming from a guy that loves 'North By Northwest', 'Lady Vanishes', and the masterpiece that is 'Vertigo'. Tell me what you enjoy about this film.

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While I do enjoy Rear Window a lot, I definitely don't think it's Hitchcock's masterpiece that people build it up to be. I completely agree with you that Vertigo should be above it as I believe that to be his best film and one of the greatest pieces of cinema ever created.

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I don't agree that this is dull. If nothing else, looking at Grace Kelly makes it gripping. I do agree that Vertigo is better. But Vertigo is weird. Maybe people don't like seeing Jimmy Stewart quite THAT messed up.

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I saw both films when they were first rereleased in 1983 after being out of circulation for 10 years, and Rear Window definitely was the audience favorite of the two.

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yeah i like it better than Vertigo

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yeah but you need to put up with her terrifying accent: " I always wanted to meet Mrs. Thoorwhooooollddd."

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I liked Rear Window much better than Vertigo. In fact, Read Window is my favorite Hitchcock movie, while Vertigo is my least favorite. Not that I've seen many, but still. I found Vertigo to be kinda dull. Especially in the second half.

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Likewise for me. I found Vertigo to be cringeworthy, and if I never see it again, it'll be just fine by me.

Meanwhile, Rear Window is my favourite Hitchcock.

I was shocked to read the OP, but hey, different strokes 'n all.

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There's a lot of dialogue in RW. Given the way you write, maybe that tripped you up.

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Why does the way I write reflect on my taste in cinema? You are a sad ignorant person.

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I totally disagree with you! I thought there was so much happen ing in this film: each window in the courtyard has separate action, a full cast and story...the dancer and her menfriends, the musicians, the couple who sleep on the fire escape and their busy little dog, the depressed woman who drinks too much, and the bad guy... Then, Jeff is always busy, watching the action with binoculars and zoom lens, calling his detective friend or the murderer...witty intelligent dialogue, arguing about the significance of each thing he's seen, the women participating in his suspicions, the detective denying their accuracy. Stewart's acting here is fantastic--I forget he never left that wheelchair for (almost) the entire movie. There is the nurse played by one of my all-time favorite actresses, Thelma Ritter--in a role she'd repeat with Doris Day an d Rock Hudson. And, finally, the stunning Grace Kelly, in her best role, imo, because she's relaxed, excited, and so much fun. They even poke fun at her perfect, designer-clothed, flawless looks, super-beautiful ice queen persona! You can tell she was having fun.

I much preferred this movie to Vertigo. Vertigo left too many questions that were pointless along the way, such as Madelaine's entry into the hotel without the desk clerk seeing her, just 3 feet away, then disappearing without either of them seeing her....that was just dumb, frankly--in mysteries such as this, such things are supposed to have a meaning, illustrate a fact, tell us something. But this is just a scene they needed to explain his activity, but we learned nothing. Mysteries that relate to the plot are cool, but ones that are never understandable are just sloppy. Rear Window is tight. Nothing that goes nowhere or means nothing to the plot. And it shows Hitchcock's delicious sense of humor. Which is why we children of the 50s and 60s grew up loving him when he actually was responsible for frightening adult stories, not children's fare. His TV show and the snippets of his profile and droll voice made us adore him, and seeing this movie never disappoints!

As for excitement, I was never on the edge of my seat during Vertigo. It was interesting, but I'd guessed what was the likely plot. Kim Novak's acting was awful sorry to say, and Jimmy Stewart was just too old to supposedly have all this ambition ahead of him. He had not yet had a relationship, was still working as a cop until his breakdown--he's one year short of 50! And he thinks he's going to be a great detective and be appointed/elected Chief of Police of San Francisco? That ship sailed. That job requires a super active political lifestyle, the hand-shaking and networking we never see here. Thinning to disappearing gray hair, stooped shoulders, he looks like a senior citizen in many scenes. I just did not buy it.

On the other hand, in Rear Window, he comes to life; he looks like war correspondants and photographers who travel the globe, living on cigarrettes and booze, but handsome, worldly. THAT explains his single childless status in this film. He looks a lot better--I can see Grace Kelly falling in love with the dashing photographer, esp after we learn of her wild streak.

Rear Window is exciting, and builds to a dramatic high. We aren't disappointed. My heart was pounding as the drama reached a climax....the apt break-in, the scene in the dark, they had me so scared! And after all the excitement, Hitch took the time to show us a happy ending to each window's vignette--except one, of course. And then it all ended with a giggle. What more could we ask? A perfect movie!

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got ya back bro.

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Maybe you should learn that people may have different tastes. It's not a hard concept to grasp.

I for one never liked Vertigo. It makes me fall asleep, even though i'm a huge Hitchcock Fan. I consider Rear Window his best movie.

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Vertigo is much better movie to me. I agree with all your points. I mean, it was not painfull to watch, i gave it 7/10 it was ok movie, bat faaaaar from 'timeless classic'.

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Recently, 2012 Sight & Sound poll in England Vertigo was chosen #1 ending Citizen Cane's 50 yr. reign. Vertigo had been movie ranked 7,4,2 in previous decades. When AFI ranked Vertigo in 2000 I don't think it made the top 30.

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