The movie Woman in the Window, released in 1944, is a classic film noir directed by Fritz Lang and starring Joan Bennett, Raymond Massey, and Edward G. Robinson. The story follows Richard Wanley (Robinson), a respected psychology professor, who gets involved in a dangerous love affair after a chance encounter with a beautiful woman.
The film opens with Wanley going about his daily routine, surrounded by his loving wife and teenage daughter. One evening, while his family is away on a vacation, he decides to visit his private club to relax and enjoy a cigar. Outside, he meets Alice (Bennett), an alluring and mysterious woman who strikes up a conversation with him. Wanley is smitten by her beauty and charm, and they agree to have a drink together.
As they continue to talk, Wanley's conversation turns to a painting in Alice's apartment that depicts a woman who looks exactly like her. She tells him that the woman in the painting is a model who used to live with her, but she had to leave due to some unfortunate circumstances. Wanley finds himself becoming more intrigued by Alice and agrees to accompany her back to her apartment to see the painting.
Once in the apartment, Alice shows him the painting and begins to flirt with him. Wanley's resistance begins to crumble, and they end up in a passionate embrace on the couch. Suddenly, they are interrupted by a visitor, Alice's jealous and possessive lover Claude (Massey). In the ensuing struggle, Wanley kills Claude in self-defense.
Wanley, now panicked and scared, decides to dispose of the body, with the help of Alice. They place Claude's body in the trunk of Wanley's car and drive to a remote location to bury it. However, their attempts to cover up the crime eventually catch up with them, as Wanley becomes increasingly paranoid and guilt-ridden. A series of twists and turns leads to a dramatic and surprising conclusion.
The film is a masterful study in suspense and paranoia, with excellent performances by the lead actors. Robinson plays his role with a convincing mix of intelligence, fear, and guilt, while Bennett is both seductive and dangerous as Alice. Massey, in a supporting role, adds depth to the story with his portrayal of Claude, the jealous lover. The screenplay, adapted from a novel by J.H. Wallis, is tight and tense, with plenty of plot twists and turns to keep the audience guessing until the very end.
In addition to its excellent performances and plot, Woman in the Window is notable for its exceptional cinematography. The film uses a combination of shadows, contrast, and camera angles to create a stark and moody atmosphere, characteristic of the film noir genre. Lang's direction is also notable for its use of German expressionism, with dark and threatening imagery used to heighten the tension.
Overall, Woman in the Window is a compelling and highly engaging film noir that showcases the best of its genre. Its combination of suspense, intrigue, and excellent performances make it a must-watch for fans of classic Hollywood cinema.
Woman in the Window is a 1945 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes.
