963 reviews
- nathanmanson
- May 24, 2021
- Permalink
Amy Adams stars in "The Woman in the Window" from 2021 (actually made in 2018), along with Gary Oldman, Fred Hechinger,Julianne Moore,Jennifer Jason Leigh, Wyatt Russell, and Brian Tyree Henry. The screenplay is by Tracy Letts.
First things first, I didn't read the book, so my review will have nothing to do with it.
Anna Fox is a child psychologist, who, after a tragedy, has become an agoraphobic, pill-popping alcoholic who lives in a dark New York City house with her cat, Punch. She spies on her neighbors and checks them out on the Internet.
She befriends a boy from across the street, Ethan (Hechinger) who brings her a gift from his mother. Later, a woman (Julianne Moore) visits Anna. She seems to be Ethan's mother, Jane Russell.
Anna is uneasy about Ethan, because after watching their apartment, she thinks his father is intimidating and worries about the boy. The, through her window, she sees Jane stabbed by someone.
However, the police don't believe her. Jane's husband (Russell) is livid with her and introduces her to his wife Jane (Leigh) - obviously not the woman Anna met. Despite her protests to the police, Anna is clearly written off as a nut.
I actually thought this a very good and effective film. I mentioned Copycat in my subject - I am referring to a very good film starring Sigourney Weaver from some years back. There were elements of it, as well as the obvious homage to Rear Window and the Stanwyck film Witness to Murder.
In short, The Woman in the Window is derivative, but still good, with quite a surprising ending. I thought the acting was terrific. Amy Adams, a very pretty woman, manages to look bloated with bags under her eyes in this, which is perfect for the role.
One thing I loved were the film references, to Dark Passage, Laura, and Spellbound, as well as the name "Jane Russell", and that spiral staircase that screamed Vertigo.
I highly recommend this film. I know people who read the book hated it, but if you didn't, I think you'll like it.
First things first, I didn't read the book, so my review will have nothing to do with it.
Anna Fox is a child psychologist, who, after a tragedy, has become an agoraphobic, pill-popping alcoholic who lives in a dark New York City house with her cat, Punch. She spies on her neighbors and checks them out on the Internet.
She befriends a boy from across the street, Ethan (Hechinger) who brings her a gift from his mother. Later, a woman (Julianne Moore) visits Anna. She seems to be Ethan's mother, Jane Russell.
Anna is uneasy about Ethan, because after watching their apartment, she thinks his father is intimidating and worries about the boy. The, through her window, she sees Jane stabbed by someone.
However, the police don't believe her. Jane's husband (Russell) is livid with her and introduces her to his wife Jane (Leigh) - obviously not the woman Anna met. Despite her protests to the police, Anna is clearly written off as a nut.
I actually thought this a very good and effective film. I mentioned Copycat in my subject - I am referring to a very good film starring Sigourney Weaver from some years back. There were elements of it, as well as the obvious homage to Rear Window and the Stanwyck film Witness to Murder.
In short, The Woman in the Window is derivative, but still good, with quite a surprising ending. I thought the acting was terrific. Amy Adams, a very pretty woman, manages to look bloated with bags under her eyes in this, which is perfect for the role.
One thing I loved were the film references, to Dark Passage, Laura, and Spellbound, as well as the name "Jane Russell", and that spiral staircase that screamed Vertigo.
I highly recommend this film. I know people who read the book hated it, but if you didn't, I think you'll like it.
Sure this movie is no masterpiece. But in my oppinion it s a good friday night watch. It's pretty thrilling and entertaining, it had me glued to the screen. Amy is a delight as always. There are some decent plot twists and the end brings a peacefull closure to the movie.
Honestly not that bad!
6-6.5.
Honestly not that bad!
6-6.5.
- kindofperson
- May 13, 2021
- Permalink
This movie is a missed opportunity with the plot being unconvincing. All the supporting characters in the movie also displayed behaviors that I found very unnatural .
From the release delays to the bad word of mouth, I was expecting this to be a trainwreck of a movie. Instead, what I got was a perfectly enjoyable suspense thriller. Sure, it's has it's flaws, the first half seems rushed, and some actors were underutilized (Jennifer Jason Leigh in particular) but I did not see that final twist coming - a twist that actually made sense.
I have not read the book, but even if I had it's only fair to judge this as a separate piece of work - because it is. So even if the book WAS better, it's got nothing to do with this piece of entertainment to me for they are two completely different experiences. Kudos to this film for not sucking.
I have not read the book, but even if I had it's only fair to judge this as a separate piece of work - because it is. So even if the book WAS better, it's got nothing to do with this piece of entertainment to me for they are two completely different experiences. Kudos to this film for not sucking.
- larrydelacruzph
- May 13, 2021
- Permalink
I don't get the bad reviews, although I gotta admit I haven't read the book. But as a movie itself, it was a good one, with a twist and a twisted character.
- shefchenko
- Aug 26, 2021
- Permalink
This desperately wants to be like Rear Window. But despite the fantastic cast of Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Anthony Mackie, the script just seems clunky and slow. Hitchcockian, this isn't. If anything, it makes you want to see Rear Window instead.
First... Ignore low reviews from people who read the book. This is a movie! I hate it when people expect a film, lasting under 2 hours, to be similar to the book. Probably 0.001 percent of viewers have or will read the book. It's a film to review. So here goes, it's entertaining. Original, under a genre of Hitchcock. Great acting and clever camera work. Enjoy it. Just don't expect it to be exactly like the book and you'll be entertained. Those reviewers remind me of annoying reviews about a product , giving it one star, and only write about a late delivery! It helps no one.
- ebookgamer
- May 13, 2021
- Permalink
I think this is quite a decent film with a few surprises along the way, I'd recommend watching it.
- brendastks
- May 13, 2021
- Permalink
Having read the book I was super excited about the movie ! But alas it was a disappointment. The movie felt like more of a drama than an intriguing thriller like it was in the book. The dialogues sometimes were over the top and the pace lagging, the supporting actors only show up when it's convenient to keep the plot moving. Sadly there is nothing interesting about any one of them. Expect for Moore she nailed her part.
Even the two biggest reveals of the story seemed lacklustre. There was a lot of buildup throughout but it just fell flat in the end.
Keeping all the negativity aside Amy as always did a great job.
Even the two biggest reveals of the story seemed lacklustre. There was a lot of buildup throughout but it just fell flat in the end.
Keeping all the negativity aside Amy as always did a great job.
- smithnumber
- Jun 25, 2021
- Permalink
A poor screenplay usually yields disappointment, and a low rating attached to my review - and this adapted screenplay is undeniably flawed.
However, the excellent performances of the ensemble of top-line actors in 'The Woman In The Window' makes viewing this long-anticipated movie worth the invested time, and gets a rare hall-pass from me.
Bruno Delbonnel's cinematography helps immensely, delivering unique scene structure and cinematic camera techniques that pay homage at large to Alfred Hitchcock, and the story itself paralleling one of his most critically acclaimed films 'Rear Window'.
Hitchcock was a filmmaker's filmmaker, and Delbonnel pays tribute by unabashedly utilizing a large number of classic Hitchcockian (and Bergman) camera techniques to set the film's overall suspense tone, build tension and anticipation, establish metaphors, and bring the viewer into the thinking and emotions of the protagonist (eg. Spiraling stairwell scenes, bokeh close-ups, half-face shadowing, elevated camera angles, surreal imagery, dead-silent eye-contact moments, etc.), that add viewing-value.
But this film was disappointing in its story telling, especially in its ending where I'm guessing scenes were left on the editing floor. Perhaps the reason the film took so long to release were triage-attempts to re-edit the story back into the film...this almost never works.
Regardless, for me the experience of viewing such deft retro artistic filmmaking, and witnessing the superb acting performances by this highly capable cast (led by Amy Adams👏), was enough to garner a passing grade from me, and a recommendation to view.
However, the excellent performances of the ensemble of top-line actors in 'The Woman In The Window' makes viewing this long-anticipated movie worth the invested time, and gets a rare hall-pass from me.
Bruno Delbonnel's cinematography helps immensely, delivering unique scene structure and cinematic camera techniques that pay homage at large to Alfred Hitchcock, and the story itself paralleling one of his most critically acclaimed films 'Rear Window'.
Hitchcock was a filmmaker's filmmaker, and Delbonnel pays tribute by unabashedly utilizing a large number of classic Hitchcockian (and Bergman) camera techniques to set the film's overall suspense tone, build tension and anticipation, establish metaphors, and bring the viewer into the thinking and emotions of the protagonist (eg. Spiraling stairwell scenes, bokeh close-ups, half-face shadowing, elevated camera angles, surreal imagery, dead-silent eye-contact moments, etc.), that add viewing-value.
But this film was disappointing in its story telling, especially in its ending where I'm guessing scenes were left on the editing floor. Perhaps the reason the film took so long to release were triage-attempts to re-edit the story back into the film...this almost never works.
Regardless, for me the experience of viewing such deft retro artistic filmmaking, and witnessing the superb acting performances by this highly capable cast (led by Amy Adams👏), was enough to garner a passing grade from me, and a recommendation to view.
- Instant_Palmer
- May 18, 2021
- Permalink
Truly waste of time and talent ; it fells like a cable tv-movie and it's a hate crime if you even think put it on the same line with Hitchcock's gripping thriller (Rear Window ) , Amy Adams was OK, she could play these kind of roles in her sleep ( See Sharp objects she was terrific ) ; some great actors are criminally underused ( Anthony Mackie - Jennifer Leigh - Gary Oldman ) , The only standout in this tripe was Julianne Moore who injected some energy into this borefest however she couldn't save this mess , if she was given much more screen time the movie would be at least decent .
Don't waste your time , watch Rear Window it's the same permise but well executed .
Don't waste your time , watch Rear Window it's the same permise but well executed .
A housebound woman witnesses a brutal act in the house opposite, but is all as it seems?
I have read the book, it's a great book, this is a moderately good adaptation of it. The issue here, was the pacing, at times it felt very dragged out, with some overlong scenes, and crazily long pauses, there's tension, and then there's overly slow, this couldn't find the balance.
We've had the woman on the train, and at times this just felt like a rehashed version of that, only that was much better.
I did think the acting was first rate, and despite such an illustrious cast, I did think that Amy Adams was the real standout.
It's watchable, I wanted it to be great, 6/10.
I have read the book, it's a great book, this is a moderately good adaptation of it. The issue here, was the pacing, at times it felt very dragged out, with some overlong scenes, and crazily long pauses, there's tension, and then there's overly slow, this couldn't find the balance.
We've had the woman on the train, and at times this just felt like a rehashed version of that, only that was much better.
I did think the acting was first rate, and despite such an illustrious cast, I did think that Amy Adams was the real standout.
It's watchable, I wanted it to be great, 6/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Sep 17, 2021
- Permalink
This is the example of movies with big budgets that allow them to have a lot of possibilities, but sometimes a lot is not the best for a movie. Without a doubt Rear Window from 1954 comes to mind and I can only say that Alfred Hitchcock won since with much less he provides us with the suspense that The Woman In The Window lacked. I must say that I am a fan of Joe Wright movies and this is not at his level, it will not change the perception I have of him as a filmmaker because I want to think that the decisions that hurt the film were not made by him (based on some productions by Scott Rudin) so I'll pretend I never looked at it. I also have to mention that the best thing was the music, excellently achieved by Danny Elfman where he takes us on a journey of horror classics, exactly what the movie dealt with in many ways but with mediocre results, I can't wait to listen to it in full and enjoy the heartbreaking cry of the violins.
- alejandro-bonilla
- May 13, 2021
- Permalink
For sure this one has Hitchcock written all over it. The Rear Window film clip near the beginning, the music, the set-up.
But I liked it. Starts slow, but gets better and more tense along the way.
Don't hesitate to watch it when you like a good thriller.
But I liked it. Starts slow, but gets better and more tense along the way.
Don't hesitate to watch it when you like a good thriller.
- MikeWindgren
- May 13, 2021
- Permalink
I'm normally a fan of Amy Adams. Some reviews say she's great in this movie but I felt like it's her worst performance.
The movie was lifeless. The ending was unsatisfying - not because it should have ended differently but because any ending was irrelevant since the movie game me no reason to care about any of the characters whether liking or hating them.
The movie was lifeless. The ending was unsatisfying - not because it should have ended differently but because any ending was irrelevant since the movie game me no reason to care about any of the characters whether liking or hating them.
- kdogg-64613
- May 13, 2021
- Permalink
I enjoyed this. No it wasn't perfect, parts of it let the movie down but overall it was a tense mystery thriller.
If you like twisty thrillers that mess with your head and putting the viewer in the position of questioning the main characters sanity versus reality then like me you'll probably enjoy this.
This movie shouldn't be compared to Rear Window. This is agoraphobic alcoholic crazy cat lady who has nothing else to fulfil her days except to spy on the neighbourhood. Enter her new neighbours and her life as she knows it decends into a a living nightmare for multiple reasons.
One of the much better movies of 2021.
If you like twisty thrillers that mess with your head and putting the viewer in the position of questioning the main characters sanity versus reality then like me you'll probably enjoy this.
This movie shouldn't be compared to Rear Window. This is agoraphobic alcoholic crazy cat lady who has nothing else to fulfil her days except to spy on the neighbourhood. Enter her new neighbours and her life as she knows it decends into a a living nightmare for multiple reasons.
One of the much better movies of 2021.
- flowerstardust1979
- May 14, 2021
- Permalink
Many of you read the book first. That doesn't help. Many of you think it's supposed to be exactly like the book. I'm guessing, it was 'based' on the bestseller and it doesn't have to be exactly like the book. If you never read the book, I'm sure you will like it, I did. Now I will read the book and decide which version I enjoyed the most. 5-14-21.
- holtdeborah
- May 13, 2021
- Permalink
Felt like some try-hard artsy film with a weird graphic fight scene chucked in at the end. The plot was pretty predictable and the acting was weird- even Gary Oldman played a caricature of himself?! It's certainly not the worst film I've ever seen, it was just disappointing.
- chelseasierra
- May 15, 2021
- Permalink
"The Woman in the Window" is not a remake of "Rear Window". It deals more with questioning one's sanity (whether or not this involves gaslighting). Not a masterpiece, but worth seeing.
- lee_eisenberg
- May 31, 2021
- Permalink
- SnoopyStyle
- May 17, 2021
- Permalink