I'm not sure why this movie is so revered amongst giallo fans. I didn't get the creeping paranoia vibe I was supposed to get; this is certainly no HEART OF GLASS in that regard. The plot advances at an incredibly feeble pace, and the concluding 'payoff' is a disappointment. It takes the protagonist 3/4 of the film to even seem interested in the murder of his friend. There's also an early lover character whose presence in the film has no meaning or application whatsoever. Usually, when a giallo film has plot problems, there are still plenty of dazzling visuals to keep you interested, of which there are scant few here. For a similarly-themed film with real chills to offer, try THE WICKER MAN or STRAW DOGS.
Review of The House with Laughing Windows
