Watch Jennifer For Free

Boring, long, and too preachy.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

What I most love about this film is the way we are kept off-guard about who the title character is, and why she has this power over a meek caretaker named Agnes (played by Lupino). To say Jennifer is a ghost is only half-right. Maybe it is easer to say she is a living woman or a way of life that possesses the weak. But the story maintains its hold on the viewer as Lupino's character struggles to get to the bottom of things. It plays out in spots as an unhealthy obsession. And Howard Duff, Lupino's real-life husband, who appears as the love interest seems to have his own obsession where Agnes is concerned, wresting her away from Jennifer.If you get the chance to look at JENNIFER, and especially if you see JENNIFER twice or more, listen carefully as you hear the dialogue. The lines lead in multiple directions, and it is like the mystery only grows deeper about who and what is overtaking Lupino and Duff until they finally confront the truth about the life they live. Also, listen carefully to the music. There's a record that Lupino's character finds, that is replayed throughout the story. Plus during a nightclub scene, we are shown a man singing a tune called 'Angel Eyes,' while Duff holds Lupino close and looks into her eyes. It is clear to him, and to us the audience, that something has started unraveling.It's a profound film, infused with the type of atmospheric touches that can only come from smart cinematography that takes full advantage of on-location filming. And it is anchored with an extraordinary performance by its lead actress. Ida Lupino shined in so many classics over the years, but I think this one has to be her best.

Ida Lupino rarely gets her due other than a large cult following that sees her as being quite amazing, and in this film, she's a lonely woman who seems content to live alone, taking a job as caretaker of an old, abandoned mansion where the previous resident (the title character) simply disappeared. Lupino becomes very intrigued by the woman's life, finding her diary, interviewing those in the area who either knew of her or had small dealings with her. And what does Jennifer's cousin (Mary Shipp) have to do with it, seemingly scheming with the handsome Howard Duff who keeps paying Lupino frequent visits to "check" in on her? There are many great visual moments of film noir style photography, particularly shots of Lupino standing in front of a four part mirror that reminds me of Hayworth in "The Lady From Shanghai". Lupino also keeps playing various records which have very dramatic piano music that adds to the suspense and insinuates that terror is about to strike. Is she a woman on the verge of madness by seeking information that she should just try to avoid, or is she a victim of a plot that began in the mansion long before she took over? Even on her way to the interview, she is warned not to stay there, and when she heads to the local convenience store, she is given all sorts of unsolicited information in regards to who this woman was. Ida comes to her own conclusions, but is she right or delusional? That's where the suspense comes in, leading you up to a chilling conclusion on a windy night where shadows take over, insinuating all kinds of horror.While there isn't an exact "conclusion" (and some people might find the revelation to be a sort of letdown), it is an intriguing journey to the discovery of the truth even though there are insinuations that there's more to the story. Lupino is always fascinating, and it amazes me how forgotten she is beyond being one of the first women directors and the cult status she has for her melodramatic features. She's often played vulnerable characters as well, and this is one of her most superb portrayals of a woman who may be in jeopardy. Duff, one of the great film noir anti-heroes, is sturdy and excellent, and you never quite know what side of the fence he's really on. A mostly unknown cast fills out this independently made feature which is higher grade above most of the films made through Allied Artists (formerly Monogram) at the time.

Ida Lupino hasn't "been well". She's just bundle of paranoid nerves quite frankly and arrives at the old empty mansion as caretaker. She immediately becomes obsessed with the prior caretaker, cousin Jennifer, who has disappeared. Ida hears noises..sounds..things that go bump in the night and then Howard Duff appears. He runs the village store selling scotch. Soon Ida's obsession with Jennifer gets spooky and all the time the background music with the high-pitched, Yoko Ono "wooo-wooo" screechy warbling and the record playing "vortex" doesn't help matters, but Duff perseveres and manages a smooch from Ida. Toss in the ever so slightly loony local college boy, Orin who fuels Ida's out-of-hand obsession and you have one flaky Ida. After much running in and out of the mansion, slamming doors, a terror in the basement boiler room, Duff calling for Ida, more annoying wooo-wooo soundtrack and a now fully hysterical Ida accusing Duff of murdering Jennifer, all thing come to a fully calm and serene ending except for the schmaltzy lingering shadow. Could that shadow be trying to tell us that even tho all's well that end's well, it isn't? Is Ida just as slightly if not more wacko-o than when she first arrived? This is a cheapo and you can tell, but what the heck---with nothing better to do, why not give it a shot?

It has been almost 50 years since I saw "Jennifer" for the first and only time. I did not know the name of this movie until I looked it up on this web site, but I have told many people (especially my grandchildren) how movies do not have to include graphic details in order to frighten you and leave powerful impact. The story skillfully introduces you to concepts which if true put Ida Lupino in a very dangerous situation. Each time Miss Lupino discovers a new "fact" she draws the viewer into her confusion and fear.This movie has such impact on me that almost 50 years later I still list it as one of the most frightening movies that I have ever seen. Yet this movie does not contain the blood and gore which became popular shortly after this movie was made. It's amazing what impact a good story and great actors can make.