Scene Analysis: Rear Window

The film Rear Window is classified as a suspenseful, mystery thriller that focuses on solving the murder of a woman in the main character, Jeffrey’s neighbourhood from his window. However, another topic is prevalent throughout the film, and that is the theme of marriage and relationships. In this scene, the theme of marriage is first showcased, and the audience is introduced to both positive and negative views of marriage that will change throughout the film. The narrative function of this scene in Rear Window is to set up these contrasting views of marriage that run throughout the film. This is shown through the scene’s narrative, as well as the editing, the use of cinematography, the scene’s acting and diegetic sound. In this scene in Rear

The framing of the scene is especially important. The natural framing of the window of the newlywed’s apartment help to put focus and emphasis on what is occurring inside that apartment. It becomes like Jeff’s own private viewing, show him what marriage between him and Lisa could possibly be like. The selective focus throughout the scene also helps to show that he really is focusing on what is inside the window, as the tree branches and items in the way of the window are out of focus, and are forgotten about by the audience of the film. Throughout the whole scene, the point-of-view shot is used from Jeff’s perspective when he is looking out the window, as it is consistent with the rest of the film. The audience gets to see exactly what he is looking at through eyeline match shots of the neighbourhood people and of his face. As well, in terms of mise-en-scène, the actors of the newlyweds are specifically placed in the natural framing of the window. All of their action that occurs in this scene is visible perfectly through this window, ensuring both the audience and Jeff see exactly what is happening, and they can fully take in the positively contrasted view of marriage, a view that Jeff previously discussed he disagrees with. Again, he sees what he and Lisa could be like if they were to get married: a perfectly happy couple living in a simple apartment together, which is not necessarily what he wants in