Secret Window just goes to show that Stephen King is hotter than ever, what with his bizarro TV series Kingdom Hospital and several other projects in the works. As of late, it's his smaller, lesser known stories that have been getting the big screen treatment. In fact, some of these recent films have attracted big name talent. Just last year, the usually brilliant Lawrence Kasdan subjected audiences to a rare mis-fire in the form of the dreadful Dreamcatcher. And right on it's heals comes another lesser known King offering, this time directed by successful screenwriter David Koepp (Panic Room, Carlito's Way) who is behind the camera for the third time having previously helmed The Trigger Effect and Stir of Echoes.

Secret Window (based on a King novella called Secret Window, Secret Garden) features Johnny Depp as an eccentric, somewhat troubled author named Mort Rainey. In order to focus on his latest writing project, Rainey has taken refuge in a remote cabin in the countryside, but before he's even settled in he finds himself in the midst of a rather disturbing development.

Seemingly out of nowhere a creepy local by the name of John Shooter (played by John Turturro), turns up and begins accusing Rainey of stealing one of his stories. Mystified by all of this, Rainey quickly sets about convincing this unsettling character that he is innocent of these absurd charges, but faster than you can say "plagiarism," strange occurences begin to happen.

First and foremost, Secret Window has elements that you'll swear you've seen before and that's because you probably have. King is well known for recycling themes in his stories, and this one is no different (in particular, it's difficult to shake shades of The Dark Half and Misery).

Koepp opens the film confident and strong and I must admit that in the early going I was a good bit captivated. But within a half hour or so, it became painfully obvious where the movie was headed. Still, the journery was somewhat entertaining thanks to some terrific acting and the occasional visual thrill (including a doozy in which Mort has a freaky nightmare).

I haven't read the story upon which this film is based, but I'm willing to bet that, as a whole, it works better as a novella. In film form, Secret Window certainly has it's moments (including a much welcome sinister ending that isn't afraid to sustain it's bleak tone and wicked sense of humor), unfortunatley the movie never fully comes together. What begins as a fairly involving mood piece becomes increasingly obvious and, at times, downright silly.

John Turturro goes for creepy (think that scary old man in Poltergeist 2), but it doesn't really work. Granted, toward the end of the movie, we get an explanation as to why Turturro's character is overplayed, but he just isn't effective here. He never scared me.

Maria Bello (coming off an outstanding turn in The Cooler) is a beauty to be sure, but has the rather thankless task of playing Depp's estranged wife Amy. Timothy Hutton (who, coincidentally, starred in George Romero's adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Half over ten years ago) is also underwritten as the new man in Amy's life.

Since I'm not exactly showering this new King creation with praise, you may be surprised to find that I end up giving it a relativley high mark. The reason for this seeming contradiction can be summed up in two words - JOHNNY DEPP!

Once again, this endlessly creative performer finds new and exciting ways to transform the most tepid material into magic. His facial reactions and spontaneous gestures are priceless. As was the case in Pirates of the Carribean and Once Upon A Time In Mexico, watching Depp immerse himself in a character is one hell of a lot of fun. He was clearly the driving force behind those films and again in Secret Window when he's on screen there's just no taking your eyes off him.

I'm a fan of Stephen King and probably always will be, but this isn't one of his more interesting tales. Thankfully, Depp makes the movie watchable with his lively, observant turn as an author (no doubt, inspired by King himself) with serious issues, and I'm not just talking writer's block.