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Amazon.co.uk
Johnny Depp gets high off another acting challenge in this tricky adaptation of a Stephen King novella. Although the mood is too sinister to allow for the mischief of his Pirates of the Caribbean turn, Depp still manages to embroider his role here with plenty of quirky business. He plays a writer, depressed and nearly divorced, who's stuck in an isolated cabin (shades of The Shining) when a stranger (John Turturro) arrives, accusing him of plagiarism. Writer-director David Koepp (Stir of Echoes) does his best to make the rickety material compelling--he gets the maximum out of the cabin set, for instance--but the problems inherent in the King story eventually win out. The climactic scenes are particularly unpleasant, especially in contrast to the cleverness of Depp's performance. A Philip Glass score adds class, but this one ultimately feels like a disappointment. --Robert Horton
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It is rare that you see a film adaption which is so similar to the novel it is based on. I'll say that for Secret Window- it is very true to the book. This is a good thing- it is really frustrating when you are a fan of a novel and then it is completely changed when a film is made of it.
Johnny Depp, with his usual quirkiness, is perfectly cast as Mort Rainey. If another actor had had the part and not carried it off, it would have been an awful film. Mort's character is well defined and likeable. Although he is very much the central character and there are not that many other characters, and most of the film takes place in his house, the story does not get boring, drag, or feel unvaried. There is enough suspense and scary bits in the movie to keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting to know what happens to Mort in the end.
There are elements to the storyline that perhaps lack originality (for example, Mort conveniently is staying alone in a house in the middle of nowhere), although if you like soft horror/psychological drama films then you will enjoy this. It is not revolutionary- it is simply an entertaining film.
In response to what the other reviewer has written, I think a 12 rating was OK for this movie. It is not as frightening as some other cert 12 films I have watched (The Others, for example, scared me to death the first time I watched it. And I'm 18).
The reason I gave the film 4 stars instead of 5, was because of the twist in the ending. I think the concept of the twist was a good idea, although the way it was done I was not entirely happy with. I felt it was a little too over-the-top in the way it was portayed and perhaps a little left to the imagination would have been better. (This is hard to describe without giving away what happens- but if you watch it you'll see what I mean).
Nevertheless, the rest of the film is great, I will be buying it when it is released, and I would recommend it, especially to other fans of Johnny Depp (who is gorgeous in this movie, incidentally). If you liked Secret Window then I also recommend you read the novella by Stephen King. It is included in "Four Past Midnight".
Johnny Depp, with his usual quirkiness, is perfectly cast as Mort Rainey. If another actor had had the part and not carried it off, it would have been an awful film. Mort's character is well defined and likeable. Although he is very much the central character and there are not that many other characters, and most of the film takes place in his house, the story does not get boring, drag, or feel unvaried. There is enough suspense and scary bits in the movie to keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting to know what happens to Mort in the end.
There are elements to the storyline that perhaps lack originality (for example, Mort conveniently is staying alone in a house in the middle of nowhere), although if you like soft horror/psychological drama films then you will enjoy this. It is not revolutionary- it is simply an entertaining film.
In response to what the other reviewer has written, I think a 12 rating was OK for this movie. It is not as frightening as some other cert 12 films I have watched (The Others, for example, scared me to death the first time I watched it. And I'm 18).
The reason I gave the film 4 stars instead of 5, was because of the twist in the ending. I think the concept of the twist was a good idea, although the way it was done I was not entirely happy with. I felt it was a little too over-the-top in the way it was portayed and perhaps a little left to the imagination would have been better. (This is hard to describe without giving away what happens- but if you watch it you'll see what I mean).
Nevertheless, the rest of the film is great, I will be buying it when it is released, and I would recommend it, especially to other fans of Johnny Depp (who is gorgeous in this movie, incidentally). If you liked Secret Window then I also recommend you read the novella by Stephen King. It is included in "Four Past Midnight".
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
`Secret Window' is based on the novella `Secret Window, Secret Garden' from the collection Four Past Midnight written by the master of horror Stephen King. It tells the tale of Mort Rainey (Johnny Depp), an author who after his wife has an affair and leaves him, he moves to their remote lake house to work on his new book. One day a stranger named John Shooter knocks on his door claiming that Mort has stolen his story and he will terrorise him until he can prove otherwise.
I love the novella - it is actually one of my favourite short stories by Stephen King - and this film adaption is so well made, it is also one of my favourite King adaptations too. Depp plays the role of Mort perfectly, throwing a bit of comedy into what otherwise is a fairly dark and sinister tale. Who plays Shooter is genuinely very creepy and unpredictable. The plot sticks close to the books, not much has been changed and all the better for it. If you've not read the novella you'll not likely to see what's coming at the end of the film as there is a clever twist that surprised me when I read it and was a shock for my friend who watched this with me who had never read the book.
The Blu Ray transfer is excellent - no graininess and very sharp and clear picture. The sound is very crisp and has been converted brilliantly.
Overall this is a great story that is very exciting and suspenseful and has been over-looked by most but should definitely be watched if you enjoy thrillers or are a fan of Stephen King and I definitely recommend it.
MOVIE - 4/5
PICTURE -5/5
SOUND - 5/5
OVERALL - 4/5
I love the novella - it is actually one of my favourite short stories by Stephen King - and this film adaption is so well made, it is also one of my favourite King adaptations too. Depp plays the role of Mort perfectly, throwing a bit of comedy into what otherwise is a fairly dark and sinister tale. Who plays Shooter is genuinely very creepy and unpredictable. The plot sticks close to the books, not much has been changed and all the better for it. If you've not read the novella you'll not likely to see what's coming at the end of the film as there is a clever twist that surprised me when I read it and was a shock for my friend who watched this with me who had never read the book.
The Blu Ray transfer is excellent - no graininess and very sharp and clear picture. The sound is very crisp and has been converted brilliantly.
Overall this is a great story that is very exciting and suspenseful and has been over-looked by most but should definitely be watched if you enjoy thrillers or are a fan of Stephen King and I definitely recommend it.
MOVIE - 4/5
PICTURE -5/5
SOUND - 5/5
OVERALL - 4/5
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film tests your imagination to the limit, using special effects and a twisted story line you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat all the way through.
Johnny Depp plays the leading role as Mort Rainy and successfully captures your heart instantly as you see his slowly shattering life. However as your bond with this character grows, dislike for another begins - John Shooter. This actor plays an excellent psychopath pushing your hatred towards him all the way until the Earth shaking twist at the end leaving you thoroughly confused as to who you like, and petrified as you leave the cinema.
My only quiery for this film is its rating. I feel sorry for the twelve year olds watching it and I hope that they have had a decent nights sleep afterwards! One more piece of advice is to think carefully about watching it if you are fond of dogs.
Overall this film is stunning with its shocking twists and turns and excellent acting - this will be a first on my Christmas list.
Johnny Depp plays the leading role as Mort Rainy and successfully captures your heart instantly as you see his slowly shattering life. However as your bond with this character grows, dislike for another begins - John Shooter. This actor plays an excellent psychopath pushing your hatred towards him all the way until the Earth shaking twist at the end leaving you thoroughly confused as to who you like, and petrified as you leave the cinema.
My only quiery for this film is its rating. I feel sorry for the twelve year olds watching it and I hope that they have had a decent nights sleep afterwards! One more piece of advice is to think carefully about watching it if you are fond of dogs.
Overall this film is stunning with its shocking twists and turns and excellent acting - this will be a first on my Christmas list.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
How DEpp is your love
This film jogs along nicely, until things aren't so nice and then it grabs your attention into a huge swirl of confusion. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Fugly
Okay thriller, Not Subtle Enough
Johnny Depp plays a successful writer who discover's his wife is having an affair. Six months later he is still trying to coming to terms with the split and is struggling to get on... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Hagrid's Umbrella
Spectacular
In my opinion Secret Window is Johnny Depps best film to date. He's portrayal as a fragile yet denomic person is as good, as if not better, of that of Jim Carrey in Me,Myself and... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Madmarshall
o_o
I thought this looked like my type of film- Johnny Depp and Steven King is possibly the best combination I have ever come across. Read more
Published 20 months ago by S. Darnley-smith
The ending is the important thing...
Shades of Hitchcock, The Shining, and various other classics pervade this movie, based on a novella by Stephen King, given life by a somewhat surprisingly cast Johnny Depp. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. Stephen Kennedy
An average story saved by a great performance from Johnny Depp.
Mort Rainey is an eccentric writer going through a painful divorce from his cheating wife. Trying to write a new book, he locks himself away in a woodland cabin and due to a bout... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Ernie
Good service dodgy film
The service from indigo starfish was as fantastic as ever, always well packaged and arrives in no time at all. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Ria S
King's Own Nightmare?
Based on a short story by Stephen King from his novel Four Past Midnight. Johnny Depp is cast as the author Mort Rainey who discovers his wife (Maria Bello) is cheating on him with... Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2009 by The Critic Ali Insane
secret window
Secret Window [DVD] [2004]My favourite film ever,one to watch over and over again !
Published on 10 April 2009 by S. Marks
Just felt like I'd seen it before
It's difficult to say exactly why I didn't like this film without spoiling it for those who haven't seen it. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2008 by Farouq Taj
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