Behind the Red Door (2003)

A dying man must reunite with his sister to face their family's violent past and find peace in their lives.

Director:

Matia Karrell

Writers:

Matia Karrell, C.W. Cressler

Stars:

Kyra Sedgwick, Kiefer Sutherland, Stockard Channing

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Natalie
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Roy
Stockard Channing	...	Julia
Chuck Shamata	...	Father
Hannah Lochner	...	Young Natalie
Corey Staden	...	Young Roy
Philip Craig	...	Detective Kinzer
Jason Carter	...	Sonny
Laura Press	...	Michelle
Ian Eugene Ryan	...	Arthur (as Ian Ryan)
William Colgate	...	Dr. Goldberg
Joseph Rutten	...	Uncle Ernest
Mary Walsh	...	Anna
Frank Holden	...	Driver
Matt Sharpe	...	George

Storyline

Talented photographer Natalie (Kyra Sedgwick) is having financial difficulties in New York City, New York. Her friend and agent Julia (Stockard Channing) finds a two day job in Boston, Massachusetts for twenty thousand dollars, and the reluctant Natalie accepts the work due to her need of money. When she arrives, she finds that she was hired by her arrogant gay brother Roy (Kiefer Sutherland), a successful designer. Natalie has broken the relationship and they have not seen each other for ten years. When she finishes her assignment, Roy asks her to stay one more day for his birthday party, and after that, he tells her that he has A.I.D.S. Natalie stays with him and along his last days, their resentments change to fraternal love.

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Plot Keywords:

birthday | photographer | love | gay | aids | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Quotes

Natalie: It just seems so unfair, you know? I mean, if I have to do this family thing, shouldn't I get to experience some of the good stuff too?
Julia: Well, who says the family thing has any rules? Wasn't it you who said, "Happy families are always happy in the same way", and...
Natalie: ..."every unhappy family sucks in a different way"? No, that was Tolstoy.
Julia: Oh. Gotta love those Russians.

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Soundtracks

Submerged
Written by Vegasphere
Performed by Vegasphere
Courtesy of Something Inviting Records

User Reviews

Siblings

Just caught up with this film recently as it was shown on Showtime. To say that it was a surprise, it's the least that can be said. I don't remember a anything as deeply felt, and as well done, and without the cheap sentimentality that might have drowned a film about the subject it treats: Aids.

Of course, this film wouldn't probably been made without the vision and the great direction of Mattia Karrell, who also contributed to the screen play. Contrary to what others have said in this forum, it is not a story that requires a box of tissues when one watches it. My own reaction was an amazement on how well the situation is handled, as it never relies of any cheap tricks to convey what is going on between the long distanced siblings. The past comes to haunt the sister, more so than the dying brother, who obviously was too young to realize what had happened to his mother who has died under mysterious circumstances.

Kiefer Sutherland as Roy, the perfectionist brother, is excellent as this man who must confront his own death. It must be terrible for someone in his line of business to realize his own mortality and have to depend in the kindness of a sister that he stayed away for too long. Kyra Sedgwick's take on the wounded Natalie, is too amazing for words. Natalie stays behind because the love she always felt for Roy. She never rebels against this blow fate has dealt her; Natalie shows she is a better person for staying with her brother until the end.

Never, in recent memory, two talented actors have been paired together with such rewarding results. Rounding the cast is Stockard Channing who is the one responsible for the family reunion, but she is a minor player in this film.

The gorgeous cinematography by Robert Elswit is too stunning for words. The musical score by David Fleury makes a great contribution to the mood of the film. Ultimately, thanks to the director Mattia Karrell comes such an unusual film that deals maturely in presenting a real slice of life without formulas.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

A vörös ajtó titka

Filming Locations:

Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blue Rider Pictures, Blue Rider Pictures, Praxis Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1