Secret Window Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)March 22nd, 2004
"Secret Window" - Worth a Look
by Homer Yen
(c) 2004
"Secret Window" is the kind of film that you walk into with all sorts of reservations. And then when you walk out, you're not sure what to make of it. That feeling stems initially from a bland trailer that teases us into believing that it is some sort of supernatural thriller, which we soon see that this isn't. After watching the film, we accept it as diligent storytelling. But near the finale, it introduces a weird twist that seems to throw a wrench into the works. We've seen this kind of finale before in other films. And it has worked fine. But something about how this film presents it just doesn't feel right. And what you'll eventually wish is that the first 100 minutes of the film should have been like the last 15.
These last few scenes have a deliciously creepy slant. And the general atmosphere certainly lends itself to a chilling ghost story. We have an isolated cabin that straddles a quiet lake. The only sounds that you hear are the drip-drip of the leaky faucet or the tick-tick of the battery-operated clock. Our hero seems to be experiencing hallucinations or perhaps memories that are confusing and even a bit haunting. Cello music grates and shrills in such a way that we are put into a mood of dreariness and dread. But the most obvious clue that this is going to have an element of weirdness is the appearance of a mysterious man who looks part dairy farmer and part zombie.
Perhaps having that unsettled feeling is the whole point, and thus, kudos can be given to this film, which starts off as a clash between two men trying to prove who was the first to write a particular story. But style may not be enough to carry the film. Unfortunately, as the film progresses, it just feels like a darker-than-ordinary cat-and-mouse chase between two people.
One of those two people is Mort (Johnny Depp), a writer who lives in that aforementioned lakeside cabin. Depp continues to display his talent for bringing amusing eccentricity to his roles. One day, the mysterious John Shooter (John Turturro) shows up on his porch muttering in a menacing tone, "you stole my story." Turturro is well-cast as the forbidding enemy.
Mort realizes that there are identical manuscripts, but can not explain this wild coincidence. He is also unwilling to prove anything to Shooter, which causes our stranger to begin disrupting Mort's life. Mort runs down a path, and there's Shooter waiting for him. Mort walks out onto his porch and sees that Shooter has been there. Mort is about to sleep when the phone rings right on cue. Their subsequent interaction is heated, sharp, and leads to disturbing circumstances.
As this story has a ghostly tinge to it, the film takes full advantage of its isolated location to provide many moments of suspense. It features two strong lead performances. It provides a creepy aura that does feel right for this kind of film. And while there are better choices in the cineplex, "Secret Window" is a mildly diverting film.
Grade: B-
S: 0 out of 3
L: 1 out of 3
V: 2 out of 3
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
