Woman in the Window

 

Woman in the Window (Netflix)

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Alfred Hitchcock would take a pass. This film is near a rip off of his “Rear View Window”. In Rear View Window Jimmy Stewart uses his binoculars to spy on a neighbor across courtyard who he suspects of murder. Amy Adams is also spying at neighbors across the street who she suspects of murder using binoculars. Like Stewart she takes clandestine photos of the neighbors. Stewart is stuck in his apartment because of a busted leg; Adams suffers from agoraphobia and is home bound. In “Rear View Window”, Raymond Burr is the bad guy with bleached white hair. Here too one of Adam’s antagonists has a head of white hair. In both movies there is a mysterious murder.

The imitations here did not produce a good film. Ironically, the film features an outstanding ensemble of actors. Besides Amy Adams there is Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Anthony Mackie. Aside for Adams neither of the other stars have much screen time. Great performers can not save a film with a weak script and mediocre direction. This is a psychological thriller but the suspense of the film is not orchestrated well. Hitchcock’s method for building suspense was like slow fuse. Here key elements are like firecrackers, they just happen and are uncoordinated. The film would have benefited from more revealing back stories. There are even web sites trying to explain the ending.

As the protagonist Amy Adams is an emotional wreak isolated in her home. Her acting range is limited by her character’s depression and isolation. She looks frumpy  wearing a rob all day and stuck in a rambling house. Depending on one main character to carry a film is a gamble which did not pay off here.

Do your self a favor and watch “Rear View Window” instead.