Rear Window is a 1998 American made-for-television crime-drama thriller film directed by Jeff Bleckner. The teleplay by Larry Gross and Eric Overmyer is an updated adaptation of the classic 1954 film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock which was based on the short story "It Had to Be Murder" by Cornell Woolrich. It was broadcast in the US by ABC on November 22, 1998. This stars Christopher Reeve (in one of his final screen appearances), Daryl Hannah, and Robert Forster.
| Rear Window | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official release poster | |
| Based on |
|
| Written by | Eric Overmyer Larry Gross |
| Directed by | Jeff Bleckner |
| Starring | |
| Music by | David Shire |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Producers | Sheldon Abend Robert V. Gaulin |
| Cinematography | Ken Kelsch |
| Editor | Geoffrey Rowland |
| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | November 22, 1998 |
Plot
Quadriplegic Jason Kemp, a former architect who now uses a wheelchair, relieves the boredom of his daily existence by engaging in voyeurism, a pastime that allows him to spy on his neighbors from the rear window of his apartment. When he witnesses sculptor Julian Thorpe viciously beat his wife Ilene, he reports the incident to 911 and the police remove him from his home. Thorpe is released the following day, and that night Jason Kemp hears a blood-curdling scream from the courtyard. From that moment on, Ilene is missing from her apartment, apparently replaced by another woman. Jason, certain she was murdered by her husband, tries to convince his colleague Claudia, nurse Antonio, and friend Charlie that his suspicion is true. Thorpe slowly comes to the realization that Kemp is fully aware of his crime, and engages him in a deadly game of cat and mouse in an effort to silence him forever.
Cast
- Christopher Reeve as Jason Kemp
- Daryl Hannah as Claudia Henderson
- Robert Forster as Detective Charlie Moore
- Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Antonio Fredericks
- Anne Twomey as Leila Kemp
- Ritchie Coster as Julian Thorpe
- Allison Mackie as Ilene Thorpe/Ilene's sister
Production
Casting
The role of Jason Kemp was the first film for Christopher Reeve following the 1995 Memorial Day fall from horseback riding that left him paralyzed. Scenes detailing his character's rehabilitation were based on his own physical therapy experiences. On the set the actor reached a personal milestone: speaking without being plugged into his ventilator for the first time.[1]
Filming
Rear Window was filmed on location in New York City, at the Burke Rehabilitation Center (where Reeve was being treated) in White Plains, New York, and in two converted Otis Elevator warehouses in Yonkers. Scenes were also shot at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.[citation needed]
Reception
Critical response
In his review in Entertainment Weekly, Ken Tucker said, "Reeve's real-life tragedy lends true fear to the scene in which the bad guy cuts off Jason's air-supply tube. But the problem here isn't Reeve's performance so much as it is the slack, awkwardly updated, and frequently confusing teleplay by Eric Overmyer and Larry Gross. The production also could have used a supporting character with the vim and vinegar of the original's Thelma Ritter."[2]
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 36% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 5.04/10.[3]
Accolades
| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Globe Award | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Christopher Reeve | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special | David Shire | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie | Christopher Reeve | Won |
| Edgar Award | Best Television Feature or Miniseries | Larry Gross | Nominated |
| Eric Overmyer | Nominated | ||
| Cornell Woolrich | Nominated |
See also
References
- ^ Rear Window at ChristopherReeveHomepage.com
- ^ Entertainment Weekly review
- ^ "Rear Window (1998)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
External links
- Rear Window at IMDb