Behind the Red Door

I watched this movie on cable recently because there was nothing else on at the time. The power of the film caught me by surprise--I'm amazed that it apparently didn't rate wider distribution (couldn't find a review in either of my movie guides). Its the story of a gay advertising exec (Sutherland) dying from AIDS and the complicated relationship that he has with his estranged sister (Sedgwick), a talented photographer. There are also references to the equally complicated relationships with their father (who probably murdered their mother). The realistic portrayal of these relationships is what drives this movie, bolstered by the outstanding performances of the actors. Sutherland is powerful as a dying man who is terrified and shows it by his alternating pleas for help and outbursts of anger at being helpless. Sedgwick is equally good as the sister who is cowed by her brother but trying to piece together the past and find resolution to the situation. The writer/director dedicated the film to "my brother Roy" and one wonders if this is the reason the film rings so true.

Kiefer is known for his diverse roles, and characters. In this film he has taken yet another different turn, playing an AIDS infected, gay, Fashion designer, Makeup artist, a perfectionist. The film is about the emotional distress that he is going through, not just because of the illness but trying to regain his beloved sister back into his short remaining life, and dealing with their traumatic childhood memory, their mother's death by the hands of their father...

excellent script, perfectly played characters, beautiful cinematography, capturing the depth of the story into each shot of film. it is not your regular Kiefer movie, where you'd see some sort of action sequence or thriller plot. it's a very emotional movie and deep story.

Kiefer is an amazing performer mastering every detail of his characters. I never pictured Kiefer in a homosexual storyline, but he did it perfectly...

First let me say that I am a long-time Kiefer fan (and yes, I too, think that 24 is the best show on television!) but that doesn't bias my opinion of this film. This film is one of the best I've seen this year. It is a quiet, beautiful character study which doesn't rely upon or need glitz or flash. The depths of these characters could not be explored without the even, thoughtful performances of Sutherland and Sedgwick. I watched the DVD twice as a rental then looked high & low to find it for sale with no luck until I convinced my local video store to sell a rental copy to me. Don't miss an opportunity to see this film!

I thought he was a wonderful man. The first time I met him, he told me I had the face of an angel. I worked for him at Bloomingdale's for Visage Beaute Cosmetics. He was very charming and had a dynamic personality. It was mesmorizing just looking at him. There were 10 of us girls working at the counter and we were all hopelessly devoted to Roy. I also met his partner, Kevin, he was a very nice man, as well. We did whatever we could to make his business a success and were instructed and coached to go out in the aisle of Bloomingdale's and grab women to come to our counter to try Visage. It was a really unique sales technique at the time. I watched this movie recently and I must say, Keifer Sutherland did a good job of portraying him, although I never saw this tougher side of Roy. I am glad that there is some sort of documentation to commemorate this very special man.

I knew next to nothing about this film and rented mainly because I have loved Kiefer Sutherland since I first saw him in Stand by me (and that's a difficult movie to love him in)

His performance is simply perfection, never becoming too sympathetic, never losing touch of the character. Oddly, what has stayed with me is the flashback scene of him applying makeup on his dead mother's face, lipstick shaking in his hands.

This is a complex and beautiful film, focussing on the relationship between brother and sister, rather than the glamorous world they are both working in or the mystery of who killed their mother.

I know I must see this film again. I strongly recommend it.