Ashley Judd recently made headlines with details of her harrowing February accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that left her leg shattered in four places. The incident required a 55-hour rescue mission in which she was eventually airlifted to South Africa and then flown to America where she underwent a seven-hour surgery. Upon learning of her injury, her father immediately traveled to South Africa and has been by her side ever since – an act reminiscent of Judd’s role in the 1999 drama “Double Jeopardy” in which she plays a Seattle mom who moves heaven and earth in a relentless journey to reunite with her son, Matty (Benjamin Weir).
A thrilling ride from start to finish, the film hardly leaves time for audiences to catch their breath as Libby Parsons (Judd) finds herself wrenched from her happy life upon being imprisoned for the murder of her husband, Nick (Bruce Greenwood), only to discover that he is actually alive, having faked his death to escape an embezzlement charge, and is now living the good life, shacking up with her former best friend, Angie (Annabeth Gish), who has taken over parenting duties of Matty.
The movie was a hit when first released, grossing over $177 million worldwide, and remains popular today – according to Movieweb, it was one of the most-watched films on Netflix in 2020. Considering its popularity, very little has been made about the locations featured in the film.
Set mainly in Seattle, with additional scenes in New Orleans, Louisiana and Evergreen, Colorado, “Double Jeopardy” was originally written as taking place in New England, but the backdrop was switched to the Pacific Northwest once the production team scouted Vancouver. Though some segments were indeed lensed in The Big Easy, the vast majority of filming occured in “Hollywood North.” A few area spots featured include the Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St.), which portrayed the courthouse where Libby is found guilty of murder, the Emergency Ferry Berth at Porteau Cove Marine Park, where Libby attempts a daring escape from her parole officer, Travis (Tommy Lee Jones), and the Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia St.), where she uses the internet to track down Angie upon being released from prison.
Vancouver was used for several New Orleans scenes, as well. The University Women’s Club of Vancouver at Hycroft (1489 McRae Ave.) masked as the interior of Maison Beau Coeur, the hotel belonging to Nick. Downtown’s Fairmont Hotel (900 W. Georgia St.) popped up as the inside of Hotel Monteleone. And Gastown’s Blood Alley is where Travis chased Libby through a crowd of revelers in the rain.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada The one locale that stands heads and tails above the rest, though, is the contemporary home where Libby and Nick live at the beginning of the film. Mention “Double Jeopardy” to anyone and the conversation will invariably turn to the stunning waterfront property.
Said to be on Whidbey Island in the Seattle area, the Parsons’ residence can actually be found perched on a rocky crag on the northern tip of Bowen Island, a bucolic idyll northwest of Vancouver. And it’s currently for sale! Situated at the end of a long driveway, virtually hidden by trees in the tony bedroom community of Hood Point, the property recently hit the market with a price tag of just under $14 million (17,588,000 $ CAD). The listing is held by Jason Jennings of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada Designed in 1982 by the now-defunct architectural firm Thompson, Berwick, Pratt and Partners, the dwelling is a feast for the eyes from top to bottom! With an incredible 11,360 square feet spread across seven bedrooms and eight baths on three floors, the sprawling pad is a marvel of stone, glass, concrete and wood.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada Dynamic lines and clerestory windows greet you at every turn, drawing eyes outward toward the incredible views of Smugglers Cove, Horseshoe Bay and beyond.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada Nestled among an enclave of Douglas firs, with floor-to-ceiling windows and peaked ceilings throughout, the property has the feel of a treehouse and is very reminiscent of Big Sur’s famed Post Ranch Inn. Indeed, according to the listing it was built to “naturally blend into its majestic surroundings.”
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada Even the gym looks like a work of art!
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada Serving as the home’s focal point is a massive indoor pool situated inside a wood and glass showroom with a beamed ceiling, stone flooring and two-story slide – all visible from nearly every angle of the main floor. For those who prefer non-water sports, there’s also an indoor tennis court on the premises.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada The uniquely angled kitchen features some unexpected creature comforts including a double oven, dual refrigerators and a vintage hot dog machine.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada The interior is exquisitely decorated with Eames chairs, ghost tables and art dotted throughout, though none of the paintings appear to the work of Kandinsky, Nick Parson’s artist of choice.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada The home’s extensive grounds, which measure an incredible 14 acres, are no less impressive. Along with a private dock and 1,500 feet of waterfront, the property features a large patio, a greenhouse, and gardens. There is also a guest residence on the premises that boasts a whopping 10,202 square feet, bringing the total interior space to 21,562!
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada Remarkably, the dwelling was only featured during the first six minutes of “Double Jeopardy’s” almost two-hour run time, though it sure makes an impression, regardless!
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada The production made use of both the inside and outside of the property but, oddly, very little of the interior is shown. The brief views we do get are all tightly shot, which is shocking in retrospect considering the stunning architecture. Had the camera panned back just a bit, audiences would have been gifted with stunning vistas.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada We are given a pretty good glimpse of the pool in the scene in which Nick hosts a fundraising party for his son’s school, though.
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Image Credit: Sotheby's International Realty Canada But it is the exterior of the residence that is showcased to most dazzling effect, leaving an indelible mark on viewers, even 22 years after the fact.
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Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer “Double Jeopardy” is not the only movie to feature the property. Nine years prior, it popped up in the thriller “The Russia House” as the spot where book publisher Barley Scott Blair (Sean Connery) is interrogated by British and American intelligence officers. According to a 1990 Edmonton Journal article, director Fred Schepisi enlisted Vancouver-based production manager Warren Carr to help him find a mountain retreat that would work for the scene. Carr immediately recommended the Bowen Island dwelling. He explained, “I had been looking for large houses in unusual settings for a previous project that didn’t pan out so I knew exactly where to go.”
Coincidentally, “The Russia House” star Michelle Pfeiffer was considered for the role of Libby in “Double Jeopardy.” Even more coincidental? Both films feature scenes taking place at the home in which the artist Pablo Picasso is discussed!
Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂
Stalk It: Libby and Nick’s house from “Double Jeopardy” is located at 370 374 Smugglers Cove Rd. on Bowen Island in Canada. Disclaimer: Please remember this is a private home. Do not trespass or bother the residents or the property in any way.