Red Doors (2005)

The Wongs struggle to cope with life, love, and family dysfunction in the suburbs of New York.

Director:

Georgia Lee

Writer:

Georgia Lee

Stars:

Tzi Ma, Jacqueline Kim, Elaine Kao

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tzi Ma	...	Ed Wong
Jacqueline Kim	...	Samantha Wong
Elaine Kao	...	Julie Wong
Freda Foh Shen	...	May-Li Wong
Kathy Shao-Lin Lee	...	Katie Wong
Mia Riverton	...	Mia Scarlett
Jayce Bartok	...	Mark
Rossif Sutherland	...	Alex
Sebastian Stan	...	Simon
Stephen Rowe	...	Dr. Levy
Cindy Cheung	...	Grace
Mao Zhao	...	Master Shen
Bridget White	...	Reception Nurse
Coati Mundi	...	Dance Instructor
Tyler Maynard	...	Trent

Storyline

Red Doors tells the story of the Wongs, a bizarrely dysfunctional Chinese-American family living in the New York suburbs. Ed Wong has just retired and plots to escape his mundane life. However, the tumultuous, madcap lives of his three rebellious daughters change his plans. The eldest daughter, Samantha, is an ambitious businesswoman in Manhattan who suddenly gets cold feet about her upcoming marriage when she runs into an old high school flame. Julie, the shy middle sister, finds her life as a studious medical student turned upside down when she falls for a movie starlet visiting the hospital. Katie, the youngest sister, is a disaffected high school senior who engages in a continually escalating and dangerous prank war with her longtime neighbor and nemesis, Simon. Ultimately, Ed's disappearance compels each daughter to examine her own understanding of the role and connection she has to the family. At the same time, the Wongs learn to live their own lives outside the invisible fences...

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Plot Keywords:

prank | lesbian | family relationships | psychologist | high school prank | 

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Taglines:

Red doors bring good luck. The Wongs need all they can get.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 September 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi lett a kislányaimmal?

Filming Locations:

New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blanc de Chine Films, Red Doors Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The director's dog, Edison, was originally cast in the film. However, he was too unruly (biting and barking at the crew) and had to be replaced by the neighbors' dog, a well-behaved Shih Tzu named Lucky.

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Quotes

Julie Wong: I'm so sorry.
Mia Scarlett: It's fine.
Julie Wong: You know what I'll get you a new one.
Mia Scarlett: It's fine, it's fine, it's fine.
[as she leans in for a kiss]

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Soundtracks

"I Know"
Written and Performed by Mia Riverton

User Reviews

to know it is to love it

You could say a film proves itself by whether you give it a second thought. Another proof is how the film plays on second viewing. "Red Doors" plays very well on first viewing and lodges itself in your memory. On second viewing, it inspires awe.

This film does not give up its secrets in bursts of action or plot-twists. Its strengths are symphonic, and it builds to a conclusion that will remain in your thoughts for a long time afterward. I especially appreciate the way it leaves its audience; "Red Doors" honors its viewers without ever pandering to them.

Everything about the film seems natural and easygoing until you see things that leave you wondering: How did they know? Ordinary things--the angle of a girl's hair, a home-video montage--grab you by the throat. The music craftily draws the viewer into the situations without ever drawing attention to itself. The performances, without obvious star-turns, have a cumulative impact that's just overwhelming.

To see "Red Doors" is to form an attachment to it. To see it again is to immerse yourself and love it.