Rain Plays An Important Role to the Films Rear Window and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

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When a viewer watches a film, they are mostly focused to characters on screen and the plot which tells the story. In most films, the drama unfolding on screen is derived from a combination of these two traits. Setting is sometimes viewed and analyzed when viewing a film as well, but it is very likely that weather on screen is something most viewers easily overlook. This is unfortunate as weather, or in this case, rain, is an important part to the film in its entirety. The inclusion of rain, which incorporates thunder, lighting, and water, in both Rear Window and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, plays an important role to the films not only to the scene in which they are featured in, but to the entire picture as a whole. The dramatic effect of rain creates realism for the characters and setting, as well as acting as a type of pathetic fallacy, mirroring the feelings or emotions of specific characters. The rain compliments the actors on screen on a sensual level, incorporating visuals and sounds.

In Alfred Hitchock’s Rear Window, the rain commences in one of the most pivotal sequences in the film. The scene begins with Jeff being awoken in his wheelchair by a roll of thunder and the first drops of rain. The sound of the raindrops splattering against the pavement overlaps a mysterious sting music selection. Up until this point in the film, most of the music played has either come from a radio or the composer’s apartment. For this sequence in the rain however, the music comes from an unknown source, making the scene even more unique and offsetting. Soundtrack during this scene is interesting as the randomized rain splattering with this mysterious music mirrors the mysterious actions of character Lars Thorwald.

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...st the time, but an obsession which puts those he loves into danger.

Outside of the actual rain sequence, the rain also creates the setting and characters as real representations for the drama to unfold. In Hitchcock’s Rear Window, the entire set was built indoors. With the illusion of the natural rain created by the mechanical rain sprinklers, the outside conditions are brought inside and create the apartment complex from more than just a movie set to an actual complex in the village. Additionally, these instances in which the viewer is connected to Jeff, such as the distorted view through the rain drops and highlighting the suspicious behavior of Thorwald, James Stewart is pulled from being a character in a movie, to being a real, relatable person. By making him more than just a character, Hitchcock is able to create concern or compassion for his character.

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