Atrás da Porta

Szabo Istvan is not a contemplative filmmaker - which I don't really mean as an insult. A lot of "contemplative" filmmakers, at their worst, seem constipated more than anything (see some of the films of Szabo's younger countryman, Tarr Bela), whereas Szabo can achieve a forward propulsion that can at times be dazzling, as in the films with scenery-chewing actor Klaus Maria Brandeur that were the height of his international fame, or in "Being Julia." The director has a peculiar way of editing that has existed from his early Hungarian features ("Father," "25 Fireman's Street"); scenes often end abruptly, as though he had chopped the end off them, and then run to the next scene. This gives Szabos' films an odd rhythm that is alluring in his best work, but maddening and even incoherent in his less successful efforts.

"The Door" is not a peak; it is hardly a failure either. It shows the Szabo style at its best and worst. The dialogue is flung out by the actors, and can have the kind of hard brilliance that's found in the old screwball comedies (Helen Mirren, in what may be the best performance of her career as an astonishingly cantankerous old cleaning woman, has some especially hilarious insults and bitter, sour-faced advice-dispensing here), but much of it is also simply hard to catch. The movie keeps a fine, sprinting pace most of the way through. It only starts to crumble in the final quarter, at which point I admit I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. And here we have the failure of Szabo's films uncontemplative style. Watching his less successful films it is as if his producer has told him that he absolutely must clock in at under a certain time. "The Door" feels rushed; it hurries to the end, and suffers for it. One feels the same in other films directed by Szabo: "Taking Sides," which is gripping and interesting but finally frustrating, and the ambitious "Sunshine," which attempts to stuff Hungarian history from the late 19th century to the post-war era in under three hours.

Still, "The Door" is almost a great film from one of the last living European film directors of the old school. All of Szabo's work is worth seeking out. It's a shame that the few remaining filmmakers in the grand European style are marginalized - even when they make fine English-language movies with Oscar winners (see also Tavernier's "In the Electric Mist"), it's lucky if these see the light of day in most countries, while young "provocateurs" with nothing to say are lauded in the major festivals. And there's something at my local cinema titled "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters"...

First of all this is a Hungarian made film and using Hungarian actors with the exception of Britains Helen Mirren - and it is entirely in English.

You might wonder why Helen Mirren appears in this film and compare her role in 'the Queen' and 'The Tempest". If it was not for Helen Mirren, I doubt this film would have any publicity or marketing potential at all.

Helen Mirren plays an eccentric maid called Emerinc who basically works for a family across the street. She has had an interesting life but lives somewhat reclusive and nobody ever enters her house, hence the title of 'The Door'.

The film is essentially about Emerinc and her relationship with her employers. The story in a sense is very ordinary but this is a very interesting drama because it gives an insight into Hungarian folk life and provides a terrific acting platform for the great talents of Helen Mirren.

I liked the film very much. It is not a thriller in the normal sense but a slow slow drama which tells a story about a lonely woman and her relationship with her villagers.

While there is a definite dearth in good movies around at the moment, this one stands out as different and very watchable. Enjoy!

Not having read the novel, I am not sure whether the film is great or if the film was infused greatness by the novel. The subject is remarkable. The performances of the two leading ladies are remarkable too, with an unforgettable turn by Ms Mirren. A highlight are cameos by Czech director Jiri Menzel as a lung surgeon with director Istvan Szabo standing behind him at the door as his colleague. Evidently Szabo and Menzel were mutual admirers. Szabo's "Budapest Tales" and "Mephisto" are superior to this noteworthy work.

the definitions are not the inspired way to describe this special film. because it is a return to the small things who are too precious and fragile for be parts of a definition. and because the acting is , in this case, not exactly good or remarkable or impressive or seductive or precise. it is only is. sure, the axis is the work of Hellen Mirren. but her admirable performance gives opportunity to discover the sides of story in the right light. and to her partners to build solid characters. it is a film about a meet and memories and tragic decisions and the present who preserves old scarfs. and about the silence inside the words. a film from the East because the East is the best embroidery of old dramatic stories and immortal memories. a film for reflect, understand and admire. and about trust. and friendship. and the bitter beauty of solitude.

This is a very interesting film. The first half is quite good & creates the requisite mystery around the elderly cleaning lady. I was curious to know who this audacious lady was, why she aroused such loyalty among her acquaintances & why she never opens the door to her home for anyone. So far so good. Oh, I did have a few issues with the abrupt manner of acting & editing, but I managed to maintain my interest as it has the appeal of a beautiful art film. However, things went down fast in the second half. The scenes seemed even more rushed. Besides, the addition of fantasy elements is always a sore spot for me.

So, in a nutshell, it started out interesting but went downhill from there.