Based on a Stephen King novella, the psychological thriller SECRET WINDOW is reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock film. Eccentric author Mort Rainey (Johnny Depp) finds his life spiraling out of control. With a drinking problem and a cigarette habit he can't shake, Mort can barely function when his wife (Maria Bello) leaves him and he abandons his work. In the midst of his anguish, a deranged man, John Shooter, (John Turturro) appears at Mort's New York cabin, claiming that Mort has plagiarized one of his stories. As his wife pushes Mort to finalize their divorce and Shooter systematically destroys his life, he struggles to restore order to an increasingly insane situation.
Playing off of Turturro who is superb as the crazed, Gothic Shooter, Johnny Depp shines in his role with a quirky, brilliant performance. The mannerisms he brings to Mort, such as a problem with a clenched jaw, makes the author's descent into madness compelling and believable. With an emphasis on character study over special effects, the chills provided by this film rely on skilled acting and evoke thrillers of earlier generations like PSYCHO and STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, including a shocking twist of an ending.
Theatrical Release: MARCH 12, 2004
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. David Koepp - Writer/Director
Featurettes - 1. A LOOK THROUGH IT
2. FROM BOOK TO FILM
3. SECRETS REVEALED
Deleted Scenes with Optional Director's Commentary (4)
Animated Storyboards - 1. Opening Titles
2. Pushing Car Off Cliff
3. The Twist Revealed
4. In the Garden
Source Writer
Stephen King: Best-selling horror novelist, THE STAND miniseries (1994)
Director of Photography
Fred Murphy: American Director Of Photography
Review 1:
"[A]mid all the free-form playfulness, with each actor invited to bring his or her own covered dish of a character interpretation to the party, Depp appears to have his own private ball."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.44-5 03/19/2004
Review 2:
"SECRET WINDOW is a potent psychological thriller bolstered by strong performances and an offbeat sense of humor."
Source: USA Today
p.8E 03/19/2004
Review 3:
"[Depp] provides another one of those quirky, slightly loony performances..."
Source: Box Office
p.32 05/01/2004
Review 4:
"Highly entertaining Stephen King adaptation, stylishly directed..."
Source: Uncut
p.160 11/01/2004
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