THE NEIGHBOR IN THE WINDOW

US, 2020, 87 minutes, Colour.

Jamie- Lynn Sigler, Jeff Gustafson, Jen Lyon Alistair Abell, David Lewis.

Directed by Menhaj Huda.

This is the kind of drama/melodrama that is geared to an afternoon at home audience, especially for wives and mothers at home who could identify with the characters and the situations. It is a Lifetime production, the company specialising in this kind of television film.

There is an attractive Seattle setting, affluent homes, friendly neighbours, the good school. At the centre is Karen, Jamie- Lynn Sigler, has suffered the death of a child, has a young son, a devoted husband, making a new start in Seattle. Everything goes well, meetings, socials, school.

However, one of the neighbours imitates Karen with dresses, jewellery, even buying a car. She makes up various stories, about illness, about her condition, seemingly plausible but Karen suspicious. When there is a confrontation, the neighbour, Lisa, who can stand in the window looking into the neighbour’s house, starts a vindictive campaign, reporting Karen as a neglectful mother to child care, getting a restraining order, ultimately pretending to be hit by Karen’s car and taking her to court.

The film highlights the pressures on Karen and her family, situations becoming more desperate. Ultimately, there is a court case, Lisa’s daughter, who was the babysitter for Karen’s son, telling the truth about her mother’s plan. However, it seems that the situation will continue and so Karen and family move away, leaving Lisa standing in the window.

1. An arresting title? Lifetime drama?
2. The Seattle setting, the affluent suburbs, homes and interiors, workplaces, offices, court? Schools, kindergartens? The musical score?
3. Karen’s story, 17 years of marriage, the death of the child, grief, the bond with Scott, the young son, Scott and job opportunity, Karen and the house, decorating? Her going for the job, study, her boss, sales? The welcome from the neighbours, gifts, meetings, school mothers? Everything wonderful?
4. The friends and neighbours, Lisa and her friendliness, her husband and daughter, the daughter as babysitter, Lisa and her charm, the shopping, wearing the same dress to school, the same jewellery, buying the car, the conversations about Parkinson’s, her medical condition? Karen and her suspicions, discussions with Scott? The friendship between the two boys?
5. The complaints about child neglect, Karen and her job at the school with the children, the discussions, the possibilities for childcare intervention? Lisa and her reactions, Karen calling out at the car, the restriction order? Things becoming worse, Scott and his conversation with Dan and Dan’s defence? Going to see the lawyer?
6. Karen, the car, Lisa and her daughter, claiming to be hit, falling, calling the police? Karen arrested, the charge? The discussions with the lawyer?
7. Lisa, discussing the situation with Dan, the audience knowing she was lying? Karen finding the description of her pathological state and lies?
8. In court, the She said – she said situation? The questions in the court? Karen, Lisa and her sad story, Dan and his response?
9. The questioning of the daughter, her telling the truth?
10. The continued pressure, Karen and family deciding to leave? Memories of the previous owners of the house and the disappearance? Lisa standing in the window?