Introduction to the Woman in the Window
It's undeniable that *The Woman in the Window* is a good movie, despite its strange mix of elements from different movies. At first, it resembles *Rear Window*, then suddenly shifts to *Witness to Murder* (1954), and finally becomes *Fractured* (2019), but ultimately returns to its original style.
The film features Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Fred Hechinger, and Wyatt Russell, and is directed by Joe Wright.
The movie's release was postponed twice: first because a trial run was neither acceptable nor understandable and lacked a strong plot, and second because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought life to a standstill.
In short, the movie's story centers on Anna, who suffers from psychological disorders that confine her to her home, preventing her from going out. She keeps herself occupied by watching her neighbors, which leads her to witness a murder at her new neighbors' house. She immediately reports it, but when the police arrive, they find there is no crime. Anna becomes confused and starts trying to prove that she is neither delirious nor hallucinating.
*The Woman in the Window* has strengths and weaknesses, featuring a slightly fast-paced yet cohesive and well-structured plot. It can be described as a thriller with powerful and moving dramatic moments, but it doesn't quite reach the level of a masterpiece.
Here, we'll explore some details and aspects of the movie together, and ask ourselves: Is it really worth watching, or is it just a pointless waste of time?
Main Character
The main character is brought to life by the brilliant actress Amy Adams in one of her best performances. The character's psychological turmoil is vivid and clear in several scenes. However, the reason for her distress is only revealed late in the film—an essential element of the movie's suspense.
The movie introduces characters one by one, giving quick introductions that clearly define their roles in the story, helping to keep the mystery intact and maintain interest.
The characters continue to unfold gradually for the viewer, and the connections and backgrounds between them are established well, but this doesn't diminish their mystery at all.
The other characters play very distinctive roles alongside the main character, Anna, but they didn't have enough time to shine more. Still, the performance was good overall.
emotional manipulation
The movie frequently uses emotional manipulation of its characters. We see Anna, a psychiatrist, struggling with agoraphobia and taking medication that may cause hallucinations. She is also separated from her husband, with whom her daughter lives, and all of this elicits our sympathy.
Then we have Ethan Russell, troubled by his father, friendless, and suffering from an unknown fear, all of which evoke our sympathy.
His mother, Jane Russell, feels trapped by her son, who lacks the freedom to live her own life. Similarly, David, Anna's tenant, is confined within certain boundaries because of his parole, which limits his freedom.
Then the movie introduces Alistair Russell, played by Gary Oldman, a stern father and husband trying to control his family, and the only one nobody sympathizes with.
The purpose of empathizing with characters is to trigger the shock principle, which occurs when you realize at a certain moment that your empathy for some of them is misplaced and that they do not deserve it.
Artistic vision
There's an entirely artistic vision behind the film, which I was convinced of after watching it. The film suggests that the mistakes of mothers or fathers can destroy the family, and that there are consequences to relationships outside the family.
There may be reasons that lead to mental illness, and its sudden onset might have no clear cause (see the review of *A Beautiful Mind*). However, in our film, Anna has reasons, and so does Ethan.
It's impossible to judge people definitively because everyone has secrets they definitely don't share, and these secrets might completely contradict your preconceived ideas about them.
Distinguishing between hallucinations and reality is very difficult; it's hard to be completely sure. There's only a narrow line between them, and that's what really causes confusion.
high performance
High performance scene where Anna discovers the truth and remembers what caused all her suffering was where Amy Adams truly shone. What was really enjoyable and unique was the way she entered the scene and rekindled memories. This was filmed and directed with genuine brilliance and stunning visual appeal, making the film stand out.
This scene was definitely a surprising plot twist, but you could see it coming from a distance. I don't mean it was predictable in every detail, but it felt like an inevitable path.
Hallucinations were expected, but what was missing was confirmation, which the film provided, even with intense pain, when you finally discover that Anna is mentally ill due to the horrific accident in which she lost her family, and that her conversations with her husband were purely imaginary.
When someone finds it difficult to cope with their illness, continuing their life becomes nearly impossible, especially if it causes harm to those around them. But there is always a tiny glimmer of hope, the key to carrying on.
David was that glimmer of hope, and he was the one who allowed Anna to see the truth when he realized she knew perfectly well she wasn't hallucinating. That was another turning point.
turning point
The turning point was definitely necessary, since the overall plot called for it, but it shouldn't have been too simple or easily accomplished, or the story might lose its credibility.
The existence of premeditated criminal planning by a teenage boy like Ethan seems unusual and somewhat illogical to viewers, bordering on inaccuracy. The clues indicating the murder were definitely present, as the killing happened right in front of the window.
However, it would be fair to say that the idea seemed good and exciting, and that Ethan's motives as the killer were compelling, stemming from his belief that his mother had failed her family and deserved to die.
high quality
The high quality of the cinematography in this film was undoubtedly brilliant, perfectly complementing the superb direction. The close-ups immersed the viewer in the gloomy atmosphere of the house and sometimes conveyed the extent of her deteriorating mental state. The stunning scene where she realizes the truth and the painful incident with her family made it seem as if she were right there in the middle of it, drawing you into her emotions.
Seeing the face in the glass was a Hitchcockian masterpiece, filling her with a sense of relief and peace. It was a truly special moment.
The rest of the film's shots were good, sometimes even thrilling, and the lighting was superb.
We can't forget Amy Adams's amazing performance. I was amazed that such complex psychological roles require a highly skilled actor with extraordinary abilities, which Amy portrayed with such power and mastery.
The other actors performed their roles admirably, but some didn't have enough screen time to shine even brighter.
Weaknesses
The weaknesses arise from the improbability of certain elements, such as the murder occurring directly in front of the window, without considering that anyone besides Anna might have witnessed it. Furthermore, Anna's capacity to overcome her agoraphobia in just two scenes—the murder and her confrontation with Ethan on the roof—was questionable. This could be due to the sense of danger itself, which triggers the body's resistance to fear.
Furthermore, the struggle with Ethan felt conflicting. He nearly drowned her in the rain, but then considered another possibility for death, which gave her the chance to resist him. When he struck her with the sharp object, not in a vital area, his strength as a young man seemed oddly weak against her.
The coincidence that brought together Katie, the murdered mother, and David, her former lover, also bothered me; it seemed somewhat exaggerated.
Ethan can access the place whenever he wants, regardless of whether David is there or not. This allows him to watch Anna and determine when she is asleep and when David leaves, something that can be noticed because he will likely need the window for that.
conclusion
In conclusion, The Woman in the Window is a solid crime thriller. It depends on a compelling psychological approach, close-ups that draw you into the character's world, and some well-crafted plot twists, along with excellent direction, cinematography, acting, and lighting.
However, it lacks complete logic in certain situations and tends to over-dramatize the ending to hide some plot flaws.
I believe it's a movie worth watching for Amy Connie's captivating performance, the creative cinematography in certain scenes, and the stunning scene where Connie delivers a truly remarkable performance.
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