Taglines: A romantic thriller in the tradition of the master of suspense.
The Bedroom Window movie storyline. Terry Lambert (Steve Guttenberg) is having an affair with his boss’ wife Sylvia. One night after an office party they are together and Sylvia witnesses an attack on Denise from Terry’s bedroom window. She doesn’t want to expose their relationship and so is reluctant about talking to the police. Terry, wanting to help, gives the police the description of the attacker. He soon becomes the main suspect in the case. He then sets to find the real rapist / killer with some help from victim Denise (Elizabeth McGovern).
The Bedroom Window is a 1987 American neo-noir film psychological thriller film directed by Curtis Hanson. It stars Steve Guttenberg, Elizabeth McGovern and Isabelle Huppert, and was shot in Baltimore in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood. Based on a novel The Witnesses, by Anne Holden, it tells the story of a young executive who starts an affair with the wife of his boss which then escalates into nightmare after he lies to the police in order to protect her.
About the Production
Curtis Hanson read the novel The Witness by Anne Holden and tried to get the film rights. They had been bought by Paramount who had them for 15 years. Hanson did a deal with the studio to write the script. His adaptation added the character of Denise, the assaulted waitress.
Hanson says Elizabeth McGovern was his “only choice” to play Denise. “Robert De Niro was obsessed with McGovern in Once Upon a Time in America. Dudley Moore was obsessed with her in Lovesick. So it’s fun to have her play a part where her beauty is secondary. At a certain point she takes over the plot. She’s the victim who becomes the aggressor.”
In the script Sylvia was American but Hanson decided to cast Isabelle Huppert. “She gives the movie a little extra something,” said Hanson. “Being French, she has a veneer of sophistication. She’s glamorous and belongs to a world that he aspires to. Isabelle also added a contrast with Elizabeth, to whom Steve’s character was initially unattracted.”
Hanson says Steve Guttenberg was not his first choice for the lead but rather a suggestion of Dino DeLaurentiis. “Dino thought that if the movie wasn’t successful, at least he’d have a young person in the lead who is liked and is known for comedy,” said Hanson.
Guttenberg was very enthusiastic to do the film and Hanson agreed to cast him after they had dinner together. “I thought the picture should have his enthusiasm and his humor,” Hanson said. “Steve was dying to play the part. It was something different for him. He perceived his character as more of a leading man than a comedian.”
The film was shot in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland and in North Carolina at DeLaurentiis’ DEG studios in Wilmington. The music for the film was composed by Michael Shrieve and Patrick Gleeson, and released as the official soundtrack album on LP in 1986.
The Bedroom Window (1987)
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Starring: Steve Guttenberg, Elizabeth McGovern, Isabelle Huppert, Paul Shenar, Carl Lumbly, Frederick Coffin, Brad Greenquist, Wallace Shawn, Robert Schenkkan, Sara Carlson
Screenplay by: Curtis Hanson
Production Design by: Ron Foreman
Cinematography by: Gilbert Taylor
Film Editing by: Scott Conrad
Costume Design by: Clifford Capone
Set Decoration by: Hilton Rosemarin
Art Direction by: Rafael Caro
Music by: Michael Shrieve, Patrick Gleeson
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (USA)
Release Date: January 16, 1987
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