Depp a twist on Stephen King suspense

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

SECRET WINDOW PG-13 Three-and-a-Half Stars (Good-to-Excellent) A novelist (Johnny Depp) in an isolated cottage is terrorized by a psychotic stranger seeking revenge for a story he believes was stolen from him. The film is based on Stephen King's novella "Two Past Midnight: Secret Window, Secret Garden." Columbia Pictures

For the second time in a row, the talented, charismatic Depp is back with a film that should play well in the popcorn multiplexes, continuing the mainstream resurgence of one of Hollywood's quirkiest actors.

In "Secret Window," writer-director David Koepp adapts King's novella from the author's "Four Past Midnight" collection. As in King's "Misery" and "The Shining," the central character is a writer with a mess of trouble.

As the film opens, successful writer Mort Rainey (Depp) sits with a laptop in seclusion in a rustic cabin in upstate New York. He's in the midst of a nasty divorce — and his wife has thrown him out of their upscale home in the New York City suburbs. Already angry, his frustrations grow as he struggles to begin a new story. He's convinced even his pet dog has a better idea than he does. So Mort escapes his troubles on the battered sofa, where he naps almost around the clock.

But then a disgruntled visitor awakens him. John Shooter (John Turturro) is a spooky fellow with a Southern accent. Shooter makes a harsh claim: "You stole my story." He hands Rainey a manuscript that virtually matches word for word a story called "Secret Window" that Rainey published in a collection.

Rainey denies the accusation, but Shooter is relentless and gives the author three days to prove his case or there will be trouble. Oh yes, there will be trouble.

In a panic, Rainey reluctantly turns to his soon-to-be-ex-wife (Maria Bello of "The Cooler") in case she remembers the circumstances of how the story was written and published. He also recruits a veteran detective (Charles S. Dutton) who's helped him before, especially when the local, small-town sheriff (Len Cariou) seems inept.

Before long, they're all entangled in ominous mayhem at Rainey's cabin and in the surrounding woods. Director Koepp previously demonstrated a talent for claustrophobic psychological chills as writer of "Panic Room" and writer-director of the under-rated "Stir of Echoes." Like Hitchcock, he tightens the suspense within the realm of everyday, commonplace occurrences, and uses inventive camera techniques and weird angles to unsettle the viewer. Koepp has also inspired composer Philip Glass to contribute a Hitchcockian music score in the Bernard Herrmann ("Citizen Kane") mold.

But at the center is another fascinating performance by Depp. He's more restrained than his Caribbean pirate (obviously), and projects the pain and turmoil of a guy in an emotional vise. But there are just enough oddball touches, witty asides and unexpected reactions to make this a memorable Depp outing.

Rated PG-13, violence, profanity, sexual content.