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.
