White Room (1990)

An aspiring writer (Maurice Godin) spies on neighbors for inspiration. One night while spying on a famous singer (Margot Kidder), he witnesses her brutal murder. Attending her funeral, he encounters a mysterious woman (Kate Nelligan), who he follows to her secluded home. What exactly is her connection to the murdered singer? Written and directed by Patricia Rozema (I'VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING). An odd little Canadian noir-ish fairy tale that has a kind of hypnotic spell that makes you want to stick with it to see where it's going. The film is compromised by the uncharismatic Maurice Godin who has a tepid screen presence (although apparently he has a solid reputation as a theatre actor). Fortunately, its three actresses (Sheila McCarthy as a quirky Bohemian artist is the third) are strong enough to compensate for Godin's blah presence. I could have done without the film's coda which demeans what we've just been watching. With Barbara Gordon and Les Rubie.