Rear Window (1998) (TV)

Director:

Jeff Bleckner

Writers (WGA):

Cornell Woolrich (story)
Eric Overmyer (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

22 November 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Drama | Crime | Mystery

Plot:

Modern remake of Rear Window in which the lead character is paralyzed and lives in a high-tech home filled with assistive technology.

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Architect | Remake Of Hitchcock Film | Actress Playing Multiple Roles | Sculptor

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Christopher Reeve	...	Jason Kemp
Daryl Hannah	...	Claudia Henderson
Robert Forster	...	Detective Charlie Moore
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Antonio Fredericks
Anne Twomey	...	Leila, Jason's Ex-Wife
Ritchie Coster	...	Julian Thorpe
Allison Mackie	...	Ilene Thorpe / Ilene's Sister
Ali Marsh	...	Alison Rothman
Julie Baker	...	Luscious Woman
Maggie Kiley	...	Professional Woman
Peter Giles	...	Professional Man
Max Chalawsky	...	Writer
Marc Holzman	...	Gay Man
David Pittu	...	Gay Mate
Monique Cintron	...	Janet

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | Australia:M | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Cambria Productions

Trivia:

The scene where Jason's breathing tube comes loose and he has to chatter his teeth to get the nurse's attention really happened to Christopher Reeve shortly after his accident.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2009) (TV)

Less excitement in this version.

It is many years since I saw Jimmy Stewart in the original "Rear Window" but if my memory serves me right I feel that this re-make for TV comes nowhere near the original. It lacks the terror, the fear, the excitement that the first "Rear Window" brought to the screen. In the first version it was a simple photographer armed with a camera and flashlight, but here we have an architect with computer and digital camera. A photographic studio has now been become a lavish apartment and there is plenty of room for the electronic chair (formerly a simple wheelchair). In the updating I feel that much of the atmosphere has been lost. While I admire Christopher Reeve's attempt to return to the screen in his paralyzed condition, I feel his acting ability is definitely restrained. There is not much response from or interest in the other actors either. The best that can be said is that this film is a therapeutic exercise for Christopher Reeve. I found the result rather dull and lacking the excitement necessary to make up for the immobility and frustration of the central character.