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"It Creeps Me Out
When Johnny's Not
Playing A Weirdo" |
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Directed by David Koepp
- Written by Stephen
King, David Koepp
Starring Johnny Depp,
John Turturro, Charles
S. Dutton
Distributed by
Sony/Columbia -
2004 - 96mins - Rated
PG13 |
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Some windows should never be opened... |
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I am
probably one of the few filmgoers flocking to this who has actually
read the Stephen King novella "Secret Window, Secret Garden," on which
this movie is based. Therefore, it had something to live up to. Many
giggling little female beings came into the theatre, waiting to see
Johnny Depp, the "sexiest man alive." What they got, was Johnny Depp,
the actor. One of the best thespians who has ever lived. Who would
have gladly gone on unnoticed if "Pirates of the Caribbean" hadn't
shot him into stardom. Thank God Depp resents the stardom, because
this way, he'll continue to put his heart into every role he performs.
With that said, this movie is NOT PIRATES It is NOT A COMEDY as the
many parents and 8 years olds in the theatre apparently thought it
was. It is a serious, if rather average, ADULT thriller. Depp stars as
Mort Rainey, a novelist who is visited one day by a mysterious man
(John Tuturro) who is convinced that Mort stole his story. Naturally,
Mort rejects this, but soon finds himself in danger. Because the man
is quite insane.
Depp is magnificent as always, as is Turturro, an underrated and
wonderful character actor. The impressive cast also includes Charles
S. Dutton, who is a very good actor, despite his poor choice in roles
("Gothika" anyone?).
"Secret Window" is faithful to the novella for the most part. It has a
few added characters, situations, and a tweaked ending, but none of it
really hurts the story. The novella was short and writer/director
David Koepp makes the right choices in adaptation. Koepp is one of the
most successful screenwriters in Hollywood (he penned "Jurassic Park,"
"Mission: Impossible," and "Spider-Man") and he does a nice job
directing.
That puts the fault for the film's occasional mediocrity on his
shoulders. A great thriller requires a grand job directing, not a nice
job.
"Secret Window" gave th audience quite a few jumps, a few laughs
(obviously humorous improvisations by Depp) and an overall good time.
I don't see an Oscar in this film's future, but I see some pleased
moviegoers. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
Email
Me! |
TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Richard Propes' Comment
This is
one of the few semi-successful Stephen King
adaptations. Its modest success is due largely
to the performance of Depp, who seems to be one
of the few actors around who can elevate any
film in which he acts. Turturro does a nice job
in a role practically tailor made for his
personality.
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