Windows (1980)

Well Deserved Praise

An action-packed slog

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The first film to kick of the 1980s and having somewhat of a cult reputation due to its daring (if not explicit) lesbian overtones and somewhat box-office failure. "Windows" is an immensely so-so, dour obsessive psycho thriller affair with some creative photography and an effectively sensitive lead turn by Talia Shire (who just came off "Rocky 2"). She really does impress in her timid role and convincingly portrays someone who's battling their own insecurity. Outside the sullen cinematography, Shire's performance and the slightly disturbing and intense opening assault sequence. It's rather disappointing, overdone and a banal effort.Elizabeth Ashley starring opposite of Shire as the compulsively manipulative and startling neurotic friend who really takes a liking to Shire's character. What she does to her is really screwed up, unstable and it generates a real uneasy mood around her when on screen. However I find her stalker performance grating and somewhat off. Joseph Cortese gives a sleepy turn as the detective looking into the case and the uninteresting love interest formed with Shire. The rest of the support add little colour. Cinematographer Gordon Willis makes his film debut and so far to be his only crack at the director's helm. For most part it meanders with little in the way of suspense. Slowly building towards it underwhelming payoff. Sure it can be malicious and dark in an atmospheric sense, but the dreary script bungles the psychological interplay with uneven patterns, ridiculous turns and blatant clichés that just go nowhere. It's the imagery that lingers with authentic urban locations, where lighting had that neon-touch with dim, shadowy passages and Ennio Morricone's music score is smoothly melancholy. "It hurts".

I've read the user reviews for this film, and some of them seem way too harsh. I understand Windows was critically bashed during its theatrical release and considered offensive to many viewers, but watching it today, it's not that bad. In fact, keeping an open mind as to how the characters interact with one another, it's at the very least interesting. Sure, there are plot holes the size of Manhattan, but this is a stylized thriller with beautiful photography at its core. The story centers on a psycho named Andrea (Elizabeth Ashley) – who just happens to be a lesbian – infatuated with her timid neighbor Emily (Talia Shire). Andrea goes so far as to hire a creep named Obecny (Rick Petrucelli) to attack Emily and have the ordeal recorded. Andrea gets her kicks listening to the audio despite seeing a therapist. We soon learn that curing Andrea of her obsession may not be in the cards. What follows is Emily trying to cope and get on with her life while Andrea basically stalks and watches her through a telescope. The film does drag a bit at times, but the climax certainly holds its own until the very end, where it just fizzles. However, I did scratch my head a couple of times in a good way by being perplexed as to what the intentions of the characters were. I also thought Ashley gave an unusual performance. Andrea was played as confused and sometimes volcanic, but with more subtlety, unlike an Alex Forrest (Fatal Attraction), for example. I think she should have been the focus of the film, giving Ashley more to work with and to create a deeper connection to the material. The acting was credible by the rest of the cast, especially Shire, who warms up to the role as the film progresses. Finally, the whole controversy over Andrea being a lesbian seems silly now. I mean, it's a character. We have all kinds of movies featuring different types of psychopaths relishing in various fetishes. Andrea just happened to be a lesbian whose obvious crush was going to be on another woman. Let's get over it already.I wanted to see this film for over 30 years because of the controversy it spawned. Was it worth it? Yes and no. I didn't see it as controversial, but it did keep me watching until the end. Just watch the Syfy channel, and you'll see WAY more movies worse than this one in every respect, literally. If you do decide to see Windows, don't overanalyze it and remember this was the first and only directorial effort from the renowned cinematographer Gordon Willis.

This is one of those flicks I've wanted to see since it came out (I was underage at the time). The plot just sounded very freaky and bizarre. Regardless, it is one of the THE most impossible films to find since I don't believe it got a video release (except overseas) and I don't even think it played on cable in the '80s. It is however on YouTube now :-).This film gets trashed by a lot of people immediately as being non-PC and homophobic. I think that's more a signpost of when the film was released, when attitudes toward people with other orientations weren't so enlightened.No, the core problem behind this picture is that it's just a raving, stinking mess, and it really is virtually all Willis' fault. When you read the opening credits, your jaw drops...they read like an A-list of movie greats: Morricone, Bourne, Willis as DP. How could they screw this up? Easy. A) Don't build any suspense; B) Don't establish any characters or motivations; C) Allow the writer to write any damn thing he wants to, no matter how stupid or no matter what expense to the actors; D) Resort to constant dissolves when you don't know what else to do, especially since there is virtually no coherent action; E) Don't direct your actors...after all they're pros, they know exactly what to do. The list goes on....This is a stalker movie....it should be about stalking. There is absolutely no fear built, no tension. It's a real master class in wasted celluloid.Still, part of me has to admire this in a way you sometimes admire any bad movie. It sure didn't have any self-censoring going on. it did what it wanted to do and took no prisoners. One of the many things that makes it a museum piece today, even if that museum is a wax one.

I was astounded at the astoundfullness of this piece of art. It is so rare to find a masterpiece such as thee, that exemplifies the magic of windows. It was perfect...the shiny...the dull...pained and beveled...it covered it all. "Windows" proudly displays all of these wonderful types of windows. I was rather impressed with subplot of the stained-glass. I did, though, think it could have been brought down to earth with a mere reference to some sort of window cleaner. i.e. "windex" possibly. I thought that would have provided some degree of comic relief. Overall, best movie I have seen in ages about windows. Might I suggest a sequel perhaps called..."The Doors"? I personally feel this was the best movie released in January of 1980.