The work of writer Stephen King has been a great source for various series and movies. I can remember watching them when I was young (for example It and Christine). The most famous movie based on his work is probably The Shining (which King actually doesn’t like). Another movie I strongly remember is The Mist, mainly for its haunting ending. The mysterious and supernatural atmosphere of the movies is something I’m always able to enjoy. Secret Window is also a “Stephen King film” I’ve know about for years, but hadn’t come around to watching.
I’ll have to admit that I’m not the biggest Johnny Depp fan (especially since he doesn’t seem to do a lot of the samey “weird” characters) and that’s one of the biggest reasons I hadn’t watched this yet. The fact that he plays a “normal” character here, in combination with a King story convinced me to check it out. Depp plays a writer, Mort Rainey, who is still struggling with the fact that he broke up with his wife. He spends a lot of time sleeping on his couch and lives in a remote house in the woods. He is visited by John Shooter (John Turturro), a man who claims that Mort has plagiarised is work. Mort denies this, but Shooter wants to see proof. Initially Mort tries to ignore the man, but when some worrisome events take place he can’t do anything but look into the allegations.
Secret Window has a wonderful mysterious and threatening atmosphere where Depps character is driven into a corner and the quesiton is if he can succes to get out of it. Depp does occasionally show his weird side, but actually acts pretty good. Despite that it is Turturro who’s the one who steals the show, bringing a very memorable character to life. The movei has some nice twists, which results in a good thriller.
I really liked this one. I liked Johnny until around the time he did Pirates. It seems like since then he just plays cartoons.
Yeah, can understand that feeling!
Depp’s always good and he is here too. I wasn’t a big fan of this but I think you’ve picked up on its best attributes. It definitely has a good sense of mystery about it.
Thanks Dan…I was totally hooked on the mystery element of it.
I actually REALLY enjoyed this movie. It has one of my favorite Johnny Depp performances. The mystery is the best part of it, and the movie is just . . . different. Which is why I liked it so much. Glad you got to see this one, Nostra!