The Woman in the Window

Starring: Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Anthony Mackie, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Fred Hechinger, Julianne Moore
Director: Joe Wright
Based on the novel "The Woman in the Window" by A.J. Finn.
Anna Fox (Adams) is a child psychologist suffering from crippling agoraphobia. Living mostly alone (the helpful and handy David (Russell) sublets her basement), she spends her time talking to her ex husband Ed (Mackie) on the phone. She has weekly visit with her psychologist and is on medication but ignores the warning to not drink. She soon takes an interest in spying on her new neighbors The Russells, especially after meeting their 15 year old son Ethan (Hechinger) and later his mother Jane (Moore). Anna witnesses the husband Alistair (Oldman) murder Jane, only for the police to show up and Jane not only being alive but now looking like a completely different person (Jason Leigh). While everyone is convinced she is hallucinating, Anna believes what she saw actually happened and begins her quest to solve the mystery while having to come to terms with her own demons.
This movie had a lot of promise, from is New York Times best selling source material to its all star cast (with Oldman coming off an Oscar win) and a director who was on the rebound. There are also very heavy Hitchcockian vibes with a massive connection to Rear Window, So what the heck went wrong?
Unfortunately the story behind the film and its constant release date shuffle is more interesting than the film itself. Originally set for release in 2019, the date was first moved because test audiences were left confused. The film was moved from 2019 to 2020 to allow for reshoots to help make a more cohesive film. Then, the Fox-Disney merger happened and the release date was put in limbo once again. Eventually, Disney sold the film and the film finally saw the light of day this weekend. Reshoots and release date shuffling isn't always a death knell for a film, but it definitely sets off a lot of red flags. Those red flags were very warranted.
Honestly the cast keeps this watchable. Amy Adams does her best to keep our sympathies with Anna and you really are rooting for her to fight through her own demons. Bryan Tyree Henry is also good as the sympathetic detective assigned to the investigation. While he isn't in the film much, he makes his presence felt and brings a welcome humanity to such a dark film.
Although there is a noticeable lack of true tension or suspense, the film is surprisingly watchable with the central mystery itself being intriguing and it is well shot and runs a merciful hour and a half. While I was able to easily predict many of the twists and turns of the story, nothing could prepare me for the films jaw-droppingly bad and inane conclusion. Seriously, the third act is downright comical with a twist that isn't well set up or executed. I honestly couldn't stop laughing at how dumb (for lack of a better word) it was. I'm surprised no one involved in the film objected or questioned it.
While the film's actors are reliable and deliver good performances, the lack of suspense and a truly laughable ending makes this Hitchcock wannabe one to avoid.
Grade: C-
The Woman in the Window is available on Netflix.
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