Door

When I stumble upon the 1988 Japanese thriller "Door", by random chance here in 2024, I needed no persuasion to sit down and watch it, as I have always been a fan of Asian cinema. In fact, I had never even heard about the movie, so I virtually had no idea what I was in for here.

Writers Ataru Oikawa and Banmei Takahashi didn't exactly put together a script and storyline that I found particularly entertaining, much less actually thrilling. The narrative was bland and sluggishly slow paced, which made sitting through 95 minutes of watching the movie quite an ordeal.

I wasn't familiar with the actresses and actors on the cast list. But the acting performances were fair, despite the fact that the actors and actresses didn't have a whole lot to work with.

The insanely annoying music just didn't help further the movie one bit. And I just don't understand why some of the characters in the movie sounded like they were speaking through a sound-distorting microphone, whereas others were clear as day.

I have to say that the apartment complex where the movie takes place has amazingly poor acoustics, since the footsteps of people walking outside on the hallway could be heard with loudly resounding echoing inside the apartment.

"Door" was a swing and a miss of a thriller, and I found very little entertainment as the movie moved on with the speed of a snail. This is hardly a movie I would recommend to fans of Asian thrillers. And after having suffered through "Door", I must admit that I have zero interest in tracking down parts 2 and 3.

My rating of director Banmei Takahashi's 1988 movie "Door" lands on a very generous three out of ten stars.

Some pretty cheesy acting and some really unbelievable fight scenes between the woman in the apartment and her would-be attacker. In addition, the little kid was MOST obnoxious. I wanted to put him over my knee every time he was on the screen barking orders and disobeying the mother.

The father's disbelief in the mother's claims of harrassment were stupid--no husband would just laugh off harrassment like this.

Also, the police's offering zero help to her when she went to them was off-the-charts in the unbelievable realm.

So yeah, it was stupid and yeah, it was ridiculous, but it had a couple of scary scenes that made me finish it.

I really liked this and it was so much more thrilling than I thought it would have been. She is there as a beautiful mother and her sweet little boy in this high rise apartment and threatened one after another with spam calls and door to door salesmen. Just this couple and these annoying interruptions and between that front door. It is a strong one, often in Japan being a steel one, and with splendid locks and chain. But there is one guy who is really upset and is sure that he was going to get in. It begins to get something more personal. It is clever that although we are really just in this flat for about an hour it has much suspense and then he gets inside and it is something else. Of course it becomes terrible but somehow Banmei Takahashi also provides some humour and I just about manage to smile in between.

No pun intended - also the main character does not want to do that anyway. I reckon you could call that clever. On the other hand, certain circumstances make things even worse. It also says a lot about your neighbors who care more about when you take the trash out (there are only certain days you are allowed to do so - stinky floors and all that), but not so much about your well being.

The apartment is quite big I have to admit. I reckon the man of the house earns a lot of money - never been to Japan but I don't think the 80s were cheaper than they are now ... and now apparently it is quite ... well expensive. So suspend your disbelief and go or rather stay home with those crazy characters.

Some interesting effects - and a mother who has to go above and beyond ... who is left to clean up the mess though? Well you have to watch and see ... it is a slow burner for most of the time ... but when the mayhem starts ... well there is no hiding ... especially when the camera follows you (a scene that is shot from above is just amazing to say the least) ...