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Behind the Red Door

Play trailer Poster for Behind the Red Door R 2003 1h 45m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Natalie (Kyra Sedgwick), a gifted New York photographer, has a troubled past reflected in her art. When she struggles to make ends meet in the city, her agent (Stockard Channing), arranges an assignment in Boston for a considerable sum of money. Unable to turn it down in her dire straits, Natalie takes the job -- only to find that her estranged homosexual brother, Roy (Kiefer Sutherland), is the employer. Roy wants to mend their broken past, but must convince her to stay long enough to do so.

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Behind the Red Door

Critics Reviews

View All (1) Critics Reviews
Jerry Weinstein culturevulture.net The awkward set-up finally gives way to a portrait of a family of two, who are at last there for one another. Jan 8, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (38) audience reviews
isla s At first I thought this was a gloomy and un-appealing film, as the brother, Roy, is less than likeable, to put it one way - snobby, rude and with ludicrously high standards, although we learn whats really going on later on in the plot. There is more to this film than initially appears, if you give it time - its a definite slow burner, a character focussed drama which may not appeal to all but I found it quite intriguing when the siblings slowly begin to reconcile and we're shown flashbacks from their past. There is a definite element of mystery which remains for the most part and I liked the light classical/instrumental music which was tastefully used at times. It is a fairly bleak watch and it does take the best part of three quarters of an hour, to an hour, for the plot to get to perhaps the more interesting part but when it does, its a surprisingly compelling watch - or it was for me anyway. There are some pieces of intriguing dialogue and while its certainly fairly sentimental towards the end, its not what I consider horrendously so. I'd find it hard not to feel sorry for Natalie, the main character, sister of Roy. I suppose thematically this film is about confiding, trust and identity and its also partly about self reflection. Would I recommend it? yes, overall I think I would, as long as you can stick with it as at first it isn't entirely appealing but it does improve. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member It about a woman's gay brother dying and their relationship. It was okay. It could have been better. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Kiefer Sutherland, you are the most fantastic actor on the planet. Ever since I first saw this movie, I have been watching and re-watching scenes that gripped me and haven't let go yet. Despite the fact that this film reeks of low-budget from afar, and despite the fact that the flashbacks are beyond ridiculous and without purpose, this film bares such emotion, such loss, such depth. Viewers are forced to step into the mind of a homosexual man suffering from AIDS, forced to love and respect and honor him for his struggles, his heartache, and his transformation. Kiefer Sutherland creates a character that hurts on a level far from superficial, and the viewer constantly seeks to understand just why this man is the way he is. Why does the texture of his food concern him so much, and why does he treat his sister like garbage over the silliest things? But then he turns around and can be the most loving man on the planet. And in the end, I learned. I realized. And I felt for myself everything this man had lost. And I could love him for that. In the end, it was all Kiefer. Kyra Sedgwick was just there to facilitate Keifer's demonstration of every emotion humanity can experience. And, I know it's silly, but every time Kiefer called Kyra "darling", the tears came. It's amazing how one minute I feel hatred toward Kiefer's character for the manner in which he treats his own sister, and the next, I am feeling all warm and fuzzy inside at just how sweet he is. This is such a daring movie, and I love it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Sad movie that makes you think. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Its rather bland and not very exiting. The cast in particular are not particularly thrilling. It has some good scenes, but overall a pretty average film. It lacks good construction. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Depressing and uplifting; touching in its coldness and compelling in its simplicity. A walking contradiction, this film is better than one expects it to be. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Behind the Red Door

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Movie Info

Synopsis Natalie (Kyra Sedgwick), a gifted New York photographer, has a troubled past reflected in her art. When she struggles to make ends meet in the city, her agent (Stockard Channing), arranges an assignment in Boston for a considerable sum of money. Unable to turn it down in her dire straits, Natalie takes the job -- only to find that her estranged homosexual brother, Roy (Kiefer Sutherland), is the employer. Roy wants to mend their broken past, but must convince her to stay long enough to do so.
Director
Matia Karrell
Producer
Kjehl Rasmussen, Matia Karrell
Screenwriter
Matia Karrell, C.W. Cressler
Production Co
Miramax
Rating
R, TV-14 (L)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Dec 16, 2003
Runtime
1h 45m
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