Open Windows (2014)

A jilted fan soon finds himself pulled into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse after he accepts the opportunity to spy on his favorite actress via his laptop.

Director:

Nacho Vigalondo

Writer:

Nacho Vigalondo

Stars:

Sasha Grey, Elijah Wood, Neil Maskell

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elijah Wood	...	Nick Chambers
Sasha Grey	...	Jill Goddard
Neil Maskell	...	Chord
Adam Quintero	...	Pierre - Triop #1
Iván González	...	Tony
Jaime Olías	...	Dave
Jake Klamburg	...	Triop #3 (as Jake S. Klamburg)
Daniel Pérez Prada	...	Triop #2 (as Dani Pérez Prada)
Rachel Arieff	...	Carol
Michelle Jenner	...	Possessed #1
Julián Villagrán	...	Possessed #2
Carlos Areces	...	Watchman
Raúl Cimas	...	Survivor
Miguel Noguera	...	Man on TV
Nacho Vigalondo	...	Richy Gabilondo

Storyline

An actress named Jill refuses to have dinner with Nick, a fan who won a date with her in an Internet contest. In return, a guy named Chord, posing as Jill's campaign manager, helps Nick to follow in the footsteps of the actress from his own computer. Nick starts a game in which he realizes that he is only a puppet into the maniacal plans devised by Chord, to hunt down the star.

---

Plot Keywords:

internet | austin texas | actress | computer | blogger | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Spain USA

Language:

English Spanish French

Release Date:

2 October 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aciq Pencereler

Filming Locations:

Spiderwood Studios, Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

€3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apaches Entertainment,Atresmedia Cine,La Panda

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vigalondo was inspired to create Open Windows after he was asked to create a thriller that heavily featured the Internet. He found writing the script a challenge, as he had to create the film's plot as well as give specific reasons for each window that opened and why the point of view would shift between the characters.

---

Goofs

Tony manages to gain access to Nick's room by going down to the reception after finding out through them which room Nick is staying at. Hotel staffs are not allowed to give guests access to rooms themselves other than those they had booked for.

---

Quotes

[last lines]
Jill Goddard: I'd like to as well.
Nevada: You'd like to what?
Jill Goddard: Disappear.
Nevada: Sure. For how long?
Jill Goddard: Long enough.

---

Connections

References Speed (1994)

---

Soundtracks

Ghost Rider
Music by Martin Rev and Alan Vega
Lyrics by Martin Rev and Alan Vega
Performed by Suicide

User Reviews

God bless Nacho Vigalondo

God bless Nacho Vigalondo ('Timecrimes' / 'Extraterrestrial'); he is a madman in person and in practice. 'Open Windows' is another attempt at an unconventional, high-concept thriller exploring the medium of film at its heart - action through time - and in ways that no one else has even conceived of. Elijah Wood's character is set up in a hotel in Austin having won a sweepstakes to meet his favorite actress, played by Sasha Grey - who, based on some of her IMDb titles ('Anal Artist' / 'Pop Goes the Weasel' / 'House of Ass 3'), isn't likely a Disney alum. When Wood is notified by her representative, 'Chord', that she has canceled their meeting and that being rude to her fans is nothing new, as a supposed retaliation, he's presented with the opportunity for remote access to the actress' laptop, phone, and webcam.

The film doesn't take much time dealing with the ethics of spying on someone but, rather, jumps right into a fast-passed thrill ride that has Wood's character jumping for A to B to C as Chord's true intentions unfold. The story is told in real-time, almost entirely on the screen of a laptop, with practical cameras following multiple events, and various plot points reveled through pop-up windows on the screen. The film was cleverly introduced as a modern-day 'Rear Window' and the gimmick does work; it took some time to get used to but, the tension ramps up quickly and, though the format is pivotal to the story, you almost forget that you're watching anything but a standard narrative. Unfortunately, it's the technology within the narrative that stretches disbelief a bit too far as the twists and turns become more and more bizarre. I'm always curious to see what Vigalondo has up his sleeve and his ambitions did not disappoint but the limitations he imposes on himself as a filmmaker seem to have pushed the state of modern technology into the realm of 'fantasy' which distracts from what is, otherwise, an inventive hostage/who-dun-it scenario.