I had hoped that Julia Stiles could save this movie. She can't. Most actresses and actors cannot overcome a bad script and indifferent direction. And this script is low quality, indeed. The director is not much better. Fans of Ms. Stiles should stick with the Bourne films and "10 Things I Hate About You". People who want offbeat suspense might try "Let Me In" or one of several Korean horror flicks from the last 15 years, including "Tell Me Something". Hitchcock fans will not be impressed with this, though some may opine that is who this director is attempting to emulate. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then incompetence is the worst form of filmmaking.

I recently watched the film The Cry Of The Owl and found it quite thought provoking. I did fear it was going to be a case of a slow, dull film with an empty conclusion, but was very surprised. It is a film that begs to be discussed as no doubt everyone would have a different thought on it. But is that actually a bad thing as some previous reviews seem to think? Not everyone wants to be spoon fed a story.The main question you are asked at the start of the film is why is the main character Robert, a seemingly popular friendly man with a good job obsessed with watching Jenny in the window? The film delivers what i think is a very satisfying and intriguing answer by the end. The closing shot also, makes the film feel complete.I have read previous reviews of the film and some people have found fault with the plot by saying its not true to life and these events would be unlikely in the real world. I think others may argue against that but really, they are missing the point. This is a story with questions embroiled in the human psyche and a plot closer in essence to a Shakespearian tragedy then a true to life story. This is not a 'Imagine if this happened to you film' nor is it a Hollywood thriller/slasher movie with a nice neat ending.The black comedy came from the realisation that the character of Robert, despite his past history of mental illness and recently suffering a breakdown, was, compared to the other characters the most sane. Maybe that says something about the world we live in.

This film immediately pulled me in with the first scene of driving-through-the-dark-night, unrecognizable glows of light flying by, signs of life in an otherwise black space and arriving at a warm glow in a quaint house and a woman washing dishes. Robert watches her from the safety of dark woods, night after night, although he has a top design job at an aeronautical firm.The people throughout this film are all askew and odd, relating to each other around corners and the strange connection that occurs between Jenny, the woman in the window, and her voyeur Robert is a desperate attempt at something real made by two eccentric individuals marked by depression and solitude. Like all Patricia Highsmith material, life exists on the edge and comfort is not so easily had.I enjoyed the contrast made between the big city, with Robert's malicious ex-wife living amidst its penthouses, and the small town Autumn leaved rurality that Robert has retreated to. Robert makes efforts to keep himself in his bubble but Jenny, upon discovering him, tempts fate and propels herself upon him, breaking up with her boyfriend to do so and thus setting into motion a weblike story of violence, deception, and the inevitable play of loss after loss.I watched this after seeing Julia Stiles on this season's Dexter and I couldn't help but think the producers must have seen her in this, her characters in both being both haunted with pain, yet filled with resolve. Paddy Considine does a great job playing a man who seems to have been run through the washer and dryer a few too many times, both distant and filled with an undercurrent of emotion.I highly recommend this film unless you demand nothing but car chases and narratives that spell everything out for you in the first ten minutes.

I have never read the novel, nor heard of the movie. After reading some of the reviews here, I decided to give it a shot. And I have to say, I do not regret it. This is a very dark movie with disturbed main characters, greatly acted by Robert Considine and Julia Stiles. This isn't your typical fast-paced Hollywood thriller. I consider this movie to be "different", the plot develops slowly and is very unpredictable, which makes it in my opinion very enjoyable. I totally recommend this movie to anyone, who likes dramas / thrillers with a dark touch, and enjoys great acting. I give it a 7 out of 10.