Secret Window (2004)

Director:

David Koepp

Writers (WGA):

Stephen King (novel)
David Koepp (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 March 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The most important part of a story is the ending.

Plot:

A writer is accused for plagiarism by a strange man, who then starts haunting him for "justice."

Plot Keywords:

Psycho Thriller | Loss Of Son | Stephen King | Claustrophobic | Schizophrenia

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Mort Rainey
John Turturro	...	John Shooter
Maria Bello	...	Amy Rainey
Timothy Hutton	...	Ted Milner
Charles S. Dutton	...	Ken Karsch
Len Cariou	...	Sheriff Dave Newsome
Joan Heney	...	Mrs. Garvey
John Dunn-Hill	...	Tom Greenleaf (as John Dunn Hill)
Vlasta Vrana	...	Fire Chief Wickersham
Matt Holland	...	Detective Bradley
Gillian Ferrabee	...	Fran Evans
Bronwen Mantel	...	Greta Bowie
Elizabeth Marleau	...	Juliet Stoker
Kyle Allatt	...	Busboy
Richard Jutras	...	Motel Manager

Also Known As:

Secret Window, Secret Garden (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence/terror, sexual content and language.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:18SG | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | France:U | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A | Finland:K-11 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB (DVD rating) | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-13 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40120) | Greece:K-17

Filming Locations:

Bromont Sur Le Lac, Québec, Canada

Company:

Grand Slam Productions

Trivia:

Shooter's license plate number is CTO 27Q.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mort goes to Ken Karsch's office, Ken hits the button on his clock. The button is on his (Ken's) left. Mort reaches forward and pushes the right button to stop the clock. Later, Ken reaches forward and pushes the right button to start the clock again (this button can't be pushed down; it's already down). After this, the buttons alternate being up and down throughout the scene.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mort: [voiceover] Turn around. Turn around. Turn the car around and get the hell out of here. Right now. Don't go back. Do not go back there.

Movie Connections:

References Repulsion (1965)

Soundtrack:

Shortnin' Bread

Depp & Turturro: Now There's A Pair!

I liked this film but never bought it, even previously-viewed which I usually do if I enjoy a film and plan on seeing it multiple times. Thus, I guess what I'm saying is the film is entertaining but not that great to run out and purchase. Rent it, first, and see what you think.

People who are in love with Johnny Depp will buy it, regardless. Depp, as usual, is interesting and plays a strange character. His character, "Mort Rainey," and the film in general are interesting right from the get-go up to the surprise ending.

Speaking of guys who play wackos, John Turturro does that in here, too. He plays a very creepy character. That was good casting, having those two guys in the same film! Also in here are Maria Bello, Timothy Hutton and Charles S. Dutton.

I wonder if I did go back and watch this several times, if I would (as I think I would) find some gaping holes in the story. Perhaps it's better just to play dumb and enjoy the movie and not worry about its credibility.