Rear Window (1998 film)

Rear Window
Based on "It Had to Be Murder" by Cornell Woolrich
Written by Eric Overmyer
Larry Gross
Directed by Jeff Bleckner
Starring Christopher Reeve
Daryl Hannah
Robert Forster
Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Music by David Shire
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s) Christopher Reeve
Steven Haft
Robert Halmi Jr.
David V. Picker
Producer(s) Sheldon Abend
Robert V. Gaulin
Cinematography Ken Kelsch
Editor(s) Geoffrey Rowland
Running time 89 minutes
Production company(s) Cambria Productions
Haft Entertainment
Hallmark Entertainment
Distributor ABC
Release
Original network ABC
Original release November 22, 1998 (1998-11-22)

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.

Plot synopsis

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.

Production notes

The role of Jason Kemp was the first 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]

Rear Window was filmed on location in New York City, at the Burke Rehabiliation 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.

Principal cast

Critical reception

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]

Awards and nominations

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

  1. ↑ Rear Window at ChristopherReeveHomepage.com
  2. ↑ Entertainment Weekly review
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