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.

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!

"Behind the Red Door" tells of a woman (Sedgwick) who visits her estranged brother (Sutherland) only to learn he is dying. Much more than just another "dying" flick and a surprisingly fine film for a director with such a short resume, "...Red Door" wrings powerful performances from the pair of leads, avoids the usual lugubrious tear-jerking, shows solid cinematic style and artistry, and ends on a deeply profound note. Most of all, "...Red Door" fills its emotional landscape with the most beautiful of all elements - reality. An intelligently wrought flick which should be a well received by realists and sentimentalists alike. (A-)

Behind the Red Door features two wonderful, nuanced performances from Kiefer and Kyra, who make us believe they are actually brother and sister - a major achievement in itself. The film has a very haunted atmosphere that thickens and deepens as the story progresses; ultimately it's a heart-felt experience, one that rings true in a quiet, subtle way.

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.