Door Number Two

We are told that the events of "Door Number Two" are "based on a true story," but of the four characters that appear in this short, three do things that are completely illogical, and that hurts what could have been an interesting character study.

The story centers on a recent college graduate, played by Kate Simses, moving into an odd little apartment in an odder little building. She deals with her superintendent (Bill Coelius), who appears he could be a Norman Bates wannabe. She deals with her elderly neighbor (long-time great character actress Phyllis Somerville). And she helps that neighbor with a phone caller (Alex Norca), regarding a windfall.

The problem is in the gap between what we would expect these characters to do and what they actually do, and that's where the story is lacking. Those false moments stop the film's forward momentum and diminish its potential, and that's too bad.

On the good side, the film is shot brilliantly and Simses and Somerville do well in their roles.