Such a frustrating disappointment

Really Surprised!

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It was based on the novel, though the original title makes more sense than this film. Maybe they wanted to avert the spoiler. But I don't think it would have affected much, because the twist comes at the final segment. The tale of a writer who is in the middle of divorce and now living alone is the lake house got threatened by a stranger, because according to him he stole his story. Followed by many unpleasant events, how he gets out of the trouble told in the next half.Feels just an okay kind. Though Johnny Depp was good. The suspense was good, particularly in the first half, but later it comes falling down. The second half was average, the twist was not interesting enough. After some point, you might predict it, but the point is it was too familiar. I especially did not like the finale, it was like not in detail. Still a watchable film, because of the actor and for decently made. So I think worth a watch if you keep a low expectation.6/10

Based on a book written by Stephen King, « Secret window » is about a writer called Mort Rainey who's one day harassed by a man named John Shooter who claims that the writer stole his novel from that he has more or less a week to prove that he did not steal the novel and to find out who is this guy. (believe me, it's not that tricky).I must say that I have loved the book and that I had great expectations for the movie, unfortunately I've been quite disappointed. Even though the actors acting is astonishing (you probably may have recognized Johnny Depp, John Turturro and Maria Bello as the main characters) and that the main details have been respected, my problem is the end of the movie which has been completely changed. However it is well made and it remains a great ending as well but the purist I am would have loved that the end remains unchanged although I must congratulate David Koepp for his inventive end. To put it in a nutshell it is a good film that I strongly recommend you to watch if you like the Stephen King's style although I would rather recommend you to read the book if you prefer the genuine style.

Johnny Depp stars as an author enduring a writer's block, acrimonious divorce, emotional difficulty with his wife's (Maria Bello) adultery (with Timothy Hutton, whose character is from Tennessee and inserts himself in their affairs much to Depp's dismay), losing his beautiful sunny suburban home to her which is responsible for his exile to a woodsy cabin away from city matters, and a visit from a Mississippi, black hat hick named John Shooter (John Turturro) at his doorstep claiming, "You stole my story." Shooter insists that he "fix the ending" which reflects on what a broken wounded man does to the woman he loves when she betrays him. Bello didn't exactly like that particular story. Depp has yet to sign the divorce papers which has the wife and her lover constantly nagging him. Meanwhile Depp continues to receive visits from Shooter wanting right to be right, while Depp tries to prove to him that he never stole that story, trying to get his body guard (Charles S Dutton) and local county sheriff (Len Cariou; The Lady in White) to look into who this character is, wanting the intruder to leave him alone. The house is burned down, dog is found dead with a screwdriver stabbed in it, and anyone poking around in the affairs of Shooter wind up more than a little worse for wear. This has a rather silly ending (the sheriff vows to find the bodies, yet he doesn't contemplate looking in the recently grown cornfield at the side of the cabin right outside Depp's attic office secret window), but Depp is so much fun as the oddball with disheveled hair, ripped-shoulder robe, emptied Doritos bag along with a wrinkled pack of smokes, fridge of Mountain Dews, and companions to chat with including dog, Chico, and himself. Lounging on the couch and worrying about Shooter, as well as, dealing with Bello and Hutton keep Depp busy...and might just send him over the deep end. Depp even swats a fly at one point and deals with a sore jaw: two little additives to the character among many that make him a treat. Ultimately the adultery/betrayal is the catalyst that drives Depp to dissociative personality issues...Depp having a conversation with himself (literally visually presented impressively) is particularly a highlight of this. Turturro popping up as quite the Southern drawl antagonist, typically upon Depp unexpectedly, is also a hoot. The insurance meeting, with the female attorney going through her own divorce, as Depp, Bello, and insurgent Dutton awkwardly go through the details...Depp having an ally with the divorcée across the room as the other two squirm is most amusing. Director Koepp has an inquisitive yet sweeping camera, and he's given the luxury of following a curious, charismatic, and wonderfully eccentric Depp who boasts a unique leading character. Stephen King's presence can be seen all in the details of the character and his *alter ego*. The main cabin on the lake setting is idyllic and claustrophobic with the mystery of Shooter (and where he might be or when he'll show up again) always present during Depp's exploits. Depp representing the unwelcome cut outsider isn't any more apparent than when the sheriff takes to knitting to help with his arthritis while he wishes to file a complaint about Shooter. Depp and Chico, before Shooter gets rid of the dog, make a most charming pair.

This is the best horror movie he has ever done. I have to say, I felt sick in the stomach when the dog was killed. I wish he didn't have to involve the dog but unfortunately it was the ex wife's dog. The whole idea is he's meant to kill everybody when he doesn't even realise it! It does remind you of 'Carrie' in a way but this is a man who wants revenge for his ex wife we are talking about! I really thought the whole setting of the storyline was brilliant and twisted because it uses your brain in a non headache way. I find some horror films can wreck your head, this one didn't. In fact, I felt like I was concentrating and thinking of what's gonna happen next!Well done Johnny Depp, you were awesome!