"[Depp's] amusingly idiosyncratic, yet surprisingly complex, performance goes a long way toward redeeming this otherwise sketchy film." Jeff Vice DESERET NEWS SALT LAKE CITY "A clever, tense thriller that loses steam toward the end." Michael Wilmington CHICAGO TRIBUNE "Will appeal to...horror fans who prefer an ending that truly sinks its teeth into the story and concludes it with a crisp, satisfying crunch." Pamela Troy CULTUREVULTURE.NET "...a twisted and sinister film with a payoff worth the price of admission." Tony Toscano TALKING PICTURES U.S.A

What The Critics Say

"Bloody, bone-chilling fun." Steven Rea PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER "Star Johnny Depp and adapter-director David Koepp bring enough wit and peculiarity to the proceedings to make for an entertaining, and sometimes even smart, time." Bob Strauss LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS "'Secret Window' is essentially a one-man show for Johnny Depp to strut his stuff." Peter Sobczynski CRITIC DOCTOR "Even if you do figure out what's ahead, the movie's stylish execution rewards you for your cunning." Bruce Newman SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

At A Glance Actor Johnny Depp is definately on a roll. After showcase performances as Captain Jack in "Pirates Of The Caribbean", CIA Agent Sands in "Once Upon A Time In Mexico" he returns to the screen again in "Secret Window", an adaptation of the novello, "Secret Window, Secret Garden" by famed author Stephen King. Joining Depp in this psychological, creepy thriller are John Turturro [as the menacing John Shooter], Maria Bello [as the about to become ex-wife], Timothy Hutton [as her overpowering boyfriend] and acclaimed stage, screen, and television actor Charles S Dutton [as Rainey's security adviser]. There's no doubting that those who love the thrill of anticipation, the urgency that runs with expectation, that edge of the seat feeling, will appreciate "Secret Window". The films transformation from the pages of Stephen King's novel "Four Past Midnight" began when executives from Columbia Pictures started to take an interest in the story.
Producer Gavin Polone explained that the Studio was interested in bringing on board David Koepp after successfully working with him on both "Spider-Man" ® and "Panic Room". Koepp's work on the film "Stir of Echoes" also weighed heavily in his favour. "King’s novella was reminiscent of Stir of Echoes because it’s about a guy who seems to lose touch with reality," Polone says. "There were also similarities to the claustrophobic atmosphere of Panic Room, a thriller that essentially played out in one tiny room." So was Koepp attracted to the project. It appears that the theme in "Secret Window, Secret Garden" was taailor made for the accomplished screenwriter and director. "I like ‘guy-in-a-house-going-crazy’ movies," Koepp says, laughing. "I enjoy the challenge of working out a story that takes place in a confined space. Even though there are some outdoor scenes, the story is really about Mort Rainey’s living space. It’s about somebody who’s in a really bad place in his life where he is just spending way too much time alone at home. I wanted to explore the confinement and paranoia themes, which have always interested me. Confinement can be really scary, and having bad things happen in your living space can be truly unsettling." And there were more specifics to be revealed, after all, as a writer Koepp has a real understanding of what working alone entails.
"I identify with Mort on some level because I’m familiar with his lifestyle," says Koepp. "Like many writers, he has a vivid internal life that he often has trouble expressing outwardly. For instance, when I write, I’m usually in a room by myself, so I’m not used to interacting with many people. It can be difficult to make that change when you’re so accustomed to living inside your own head." And what about the writers block which plauges Rainey? "The process of writing is completely self-motivated,” Koepp continues. “So if you’re depressed, it’s very hard to get up and work. The couch always looks so inviting." Now you played a big part in that couch, didn't you? "We were careful to cast just the right couch for Mort," he says. "I tested all of them and personally napped on the one we ended up using because I don’t know any writer who doesn’t have a good nap couch." Koepp also put a lot of effort into securing actor Johnny Depp for the lead role of Mort Rainey. Depp was impressed by the fact that Koepp traveled all the way to the Caribbean where Depp was shooting "Pirates Of The Caribbean" What impressed Depp even more was the quality of Koepp's writing.
"As I kept reading, I got to the point where I was totally invested emotionally in Mort and his dilemma," he said. "And then, when I got to the ingenious plot twist, I was completely shocked. I really didn’t see it coming, which is very satisfying for a reader and I knew it would be for audiences as well." And Depp has a real affinity for writers, after all he's about to play J M Barrie [author of Peter Pan] in the upcoming "Neverland". "I think for anyone in the creative arts, but especially for a writer, your imagination is your best friend. It can also be your worst enemy if you are plagued by too much thought, an overload of information in your head," he explained. "That’s Morty’s problem. He’s definitely a recluse. He’s uncomfortable around people and just wants to be left alone. Unfortunately, he can’t leave himself alone." It's no secret Koepp really wanted Depp in the part, even going so far as to compose a letter to the actor. "He’s one of our great actors, so inventive and so different every time. I’ve found him totally accessible as an actor throughout his career," he says. "There is an old saying that if you aim for the general, you hit nothing, but if you aim for the specific, you might hit the universal. That sums up the body of Johnny’s work. He is very meticulous and he draws us in by finding little moments of truth and behavior that people recognize and identify with. Therefore, they ultimately identify with the character. His choices are spontaneous and often unconventional, but they always work. He is also a completely fearless actor. In terms of this character in particular, it’s rare to find a movie star who is as unafraid as Johnny is to play fear. Needless to say, I was thrilled when he agreed to take the part." Koepp makes no bones about the fact that he also wanted John Tuturro for the role of John Shooter. "I really wanted John because he’s one of those actors who really becomes the part, who creates a fully realized, credible person. And that was especially important in the case of Shooter. Because John is such a chameleon, audiences can’t always quite put their finger on him, which is great for Shooter; a man who shows up out of nowhere and has an intangible, mysterious quality about him," Koepp says. And without a doubt Depp and Tuturro are scintilating when they appear together on screen. Koepp revealed the appeal of the characters is their vastly different backgrounds. "Shooter comes from a very different place; literally and figuratively. He is a dairy farmer from Mississippi who feels he has been wronged, and the movie tries, in part, to find out whether Mort plagiarized Shooter or not. We never know exactly who is telling the truth, though we tend to believe Mort because Shooter is such a wacko and does scary things. But there is always that element of doubt." It's that element of doubt, that nagging feeling that Shooter may just be right that drives "Secret Window" to it's twisted finish. A surprise finish. So, if as I've already said, you love a good tale, a spine chilling thriller, good guy versus seriously warped wierdo, then "Secret Window" will suit you down to the ground. But please, don't let anyone reveal the story to you. One slip-up and your experience will be ruined. Cast and Crew Bytes "Secret Window" was ................
directed and written by David Koepp’s ["Stir of Echoes" and "The Trigger Effect"] who wrote the screenplays for "Panic Room", "Jurassic Park", "The Lost World: Jurassic Park", "Mission Impossible" and "Spider-Man ®"; produced by Gavin Polone ["Drop Dead Gorgeous", "Stir of Echoes", "Panic Room" and "Seeing Other People"]; executive produced by Ezra Swerdlow ["The First Wives Club", "The Good Son", "Alien 3" and "Head of State" ]; the director of photography was Fred Murphy ASC ["Stir of Echoes", "Freddy V Jason", "Auto Focus" and "Heartland"] who made his debut in the 1978 film "Girl Friends"; the film was edited by Jill Savitt, ACE ["Key Exchange", "Trigger Effect", "Stir of Echoes", and "Full Moon in Blue Water"] and the production was designed by JHoward Cummings ["Death to Smoochy", "Double Jeopardy", "The Usual Suspects" and "The Long Kiss Goodnight"]
"Secret Window" was adapted from the novello "Secret Window, Secret Garden" by Stephen King ["The Green Mile", "Dreamcatcher", "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Shining"]. "Secret Window, Secret Garden" featured as one story in the compilation, "Four Past Midnight".
"Secret Window" stars ..............
Johnny Depp ["Donnie Brasco", "Blow", "From Hell", "Sleepy Hollow" and "Once Upon A Time In Mexico"], Maria Bello ["Payback", "Duets", "Coyote Ugly" and "Auto Focus"], Tomothy Hutton ["Ordinary People", "Taps", "The General’s Daughter" and "Sunshine State"] Charles S Dutton ["Random Hearts", "Crocodile Dundee II", "Alien 3" and "Gothika"] and John Tuturro ["O Brother, Where Art Thou?", "The Big Lebowski", "Mr Deeds", "The Color of Money" and "Collateral Damage"] as John Shooter.
Secret Window Trivia Johnny Depp began his career as a musician, joining a rock group named "Kids". When the band broke up he turned to acting. His first major acting job was in "Nightmare on Elm Street".
John Tuturro was voted best actor at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival and received a David Di Donatello Award for his role in the film "Barton Fink". At the 1992 Cannes Film Festival the film "Mac", which he wrote and directed was awarded the Camera D’Or.
Maria Bello is well known for her role on “ER” as the passionate and headstrong pediatrician Dr Anna Del Amico.
Tomothy Hutton won an Academy Award®, Golden Globe and Los Angeles Film Critic’s award for his performance in Robert Redford’s "Ordinary People". Hutton's feature film directorial debut, "Digging to China", premiered at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival to a standing ovation. He currently serves as the President of The Players Club, one of whose founders was Mark Twain.
Charles S Dutton served seven and a half years in prison for fatally stabbing a man in a street fight. While in prison Dutton was stabbed in the neck with an ice pick during a fight with another inmate. The incident was to be the turning point in Dutton's life as he refused to retaliate. He developed a passion for the theatre and completed a two-year college degree course. Dutton is one of a select group of actors to be honored with Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the same role [“The Piano Lesson”].
Stephen King lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. He has written more than 40 books and 200 short stories. The Story Successful writer Mort Rainey should be enjoying life to the fullest. Instead he is in the middle of a divorce, sleeping on the sofa in his lakeside cabin and working sixteen hours a day trying to complete his latest novel. Sapped of his energy, devoid of any creative juices Rainey has developed every writers nightmare, writers block. Just as he thinks things couldn't get any worse a psychotic stranger named John Shooter shows up at his doorstep. He accuses Rainey of plagiarizing his story and demands satisfaction. His demands include veiled threats of bodily harm, even death. Rainey tries to convince Shooter that he is mistaken. Shooter is adamant that Rainey stole his work. Try as he might nothing seems to succeed when it comes to convincing Shooter that he is mistaken. John Shooter isn't afraid to show Rainey he means business. Coming and going as he pleases the menacing figure seems to be one step ahead of every move Rainey makes. Rainey finds he is in a cat and mouse fight for his life and it seems John Shooter knows more about Rainey, than Rainey does about himself. Where will it end? The Verdict "The tension runs high in "Secret Window" and it's not hard to find oneself on the edge of ones seat in anticipation that something menacing is about to happen. It's a taut thriller and Depp is centre stage for much of it, except when Turturro appears as the very spooky John Shooter. Only then does Depp step back. Turturro and Depp work every situation with sinister conviction. "Secret Window" makes it three in a row for Depp following the success of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and his terrific turn in "Once Upon A Time In Mexico". Overall "Secret Window" is creepy enough, beguiling enough and suspenseful enough to warrant having a look at." The Cast

Johnny Depp John Turturro Maria Bello Timothy Hutton Charles S Dutton Len Cariou Joan Heney John Dunn-Hill Vlasta Vrana Matt Holland Gillian Ferrabee Bronwen Mantel Elizabeth Marleau Kyle Allatt Richard Jutras Kevin Woodhouse Vito DeFilippo Sarah Allen

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Mort Rainey John Shooter Amy Rainey Ted Ken Karsch Sheriff Dave Newsome Mrs Garvey Tom Greenleaf Fire Chief Wickersham Detective Bradley Fran Evans Greta Bowie Juliet Stoker Busboy Motel Manager Public Works Guy Public Works Guy Sheriff's Niece

The Crew Directed & Written by David Koepp From the novel "Secret Window, Secret Garden" by Stephen King Screenplay by David Koepp Produced by Gavin Polone Executive Producer Ezra Swerdlow Original Music by Philip Glass Cinematography by Fred Murphy Film Editing by Jill Savitt Production Design by Howard Cummings Art Direction by Gilles Aird Costume Design by Odette Gadoury Production Management Manon Bougie Run Time 96 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Columbia Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved