Due vite spezzate

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...

I don't ordinarily go in for "dying" movies, but Kiefer Sutherland is so talented, I made an exception. He was excellent in this film, bringing the character to life in a most believable way. I also like Kyra Sedgwick, but all throughout, I kept picturing Julia Roberts in that role - they're so much alike, in my opinion. I always love to watch Stockard Channing, who consistently gives a fine performance. She was the shining light in "Grease", which was otherwise pablum. Her scene in BTRD with Sedgwick, where they shouted curses at each other was hysterical!

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-)