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The Doors

R Released Mar 1, 1991 2h 15m Biography History Drama Music List
56% Tomatometer 61 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
After a psychedelic experience in the California desert, Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer), lead singer of The Doors, and his bandmates begin performing in Los Angeles and quickly become a sensation. However, when Jim begins ditching his musical responsibilities and his girlfriend, Pamela (Meg Ryan), in favor of his dangerous addictions and the affections of the seductive, occult-obsessed Patricia (Kathleen Quinlan), the band starts to worry about their leader.
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Critics Consensus

Val Kilmer delivers a powerhouse performance as one of rock's most incendiary figures, but unfortunately, Oliver Stone is unable to shed much light on the circus surrounding the star.

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Critics Reviews

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Terrence Rafferty New Yorker For a while, the obviousness and flat-out vulgarity are sort of entertaining, and it might be possible to enjoy the movie as a camp classic if you could ignore the mean-spiritedness that keeps breaking through. Jun 17, 2014 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune Hysteria, however skillfully maintained, should never be mistaken for art -- a caution that applies equally to Stone and his subject. Rated: 2/4 Jun 17, 2014 Full Review Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer While it has its moments, taken by itself, The Doors amounts to little more than an impressionistic look at a boy and his death wish. Rated: 2.5/4 Jun 17, 2014 Full Review Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) A bomb. Rated: 1/4 May 9, 2023 Full Review Allison Rose FlickDirect The Doors is entertaining for the most part but the gem is Kilmer's performance of the rock legend who passed away before his time. Rated: 3.5/5 Jul 24, 2019 Full Review Ciaran Kerr Film Bunker Oliver Stone's The Doors is a grandiose, highly kinetic, film that flourishes in its own excess. Apr 19, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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andrea m Val Kilmer should have received an Oscar for his role. 👏 Amazing Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/24 Full Review Jason S Incredible transformative performance by Val Kilmer. One of the best music biopics. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/19/24 Full Review Shioka O Val embodied Jim and his performance is really convincing. Look alike. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/08/24 Full Review Jay H The performances are great. The movie itself is not. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/27/24 Full Review Eli H The Doors offers a captivating glimpse into the rise and fall of one of rock's most iconic bands. Val Kilmer's portrayal of Jim Morrison is very authentic and it captures the enigmatic allure and self-destructive tendencies of the legendary frontman. Oliver Stone's direction immerses viewers in the psychedelic '60s era, with a soundtrack that pulsates with the band's electrifying energy. While the film may not delve deep into the complexities of Morrison's psyche, it still remains a visually stunning and musically rich tribute. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/15/24 Full Review Dave t Val Kilmer's performance and the recreation of The Doors in concert are the redeeming elements in this otherwise torturous and quite frankly laughable biopic. Kilmer embodies the role he was born to play, and gives an incredible performance. As for the remainder of the 'film' ? credit has to go to my teenage son who compared a lot of the behind the scenes material to the fantasy sequences from 'Wayne's World.' Clumsy and pantomime-esque. The overt and 'on the nose' use of Doors music from the very outset gave it the feel of a fan remake devoid of any film making subtlety, art or insight. Bad wigs, wooden cut-out, or at the least marginalised, support cast place Kilmer centre stage, leaving the audience feeling as though they've watched a 'best of' compilation on YouTube, rather than gaining some insight into 'the real story of The Doors.' I've often defended Oliver Stone against nay-sayers, extolling the power of Platoon and JFK, while putting Natural Born Killers down as a mere aberration (all be it it from an excellent $1 Tarantino script); but The Doors has convinced me that merely 'being there' does not qualify Stone as a great film maker. I'm afraid, Mr Stone, the mythologised shaman, pretentious and self-loathing Jay Gatz-light, is you. The story of The Doors is perhaps, by turn, simply not that interesting. Like Oliver Stone, I too loved the myth surrounding The Doors, Jim Morrison and his untimely death, but then I turned 18. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis After a psychedelic experience in the California desert, Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer), lead singer of The Doors, and his bandmates begin performing in Los Angeles and quickly become a sensation. However, when Jim begins ditching his musical responsibilities and his girlfriend, Pamela (Meg Ryan), in favor of his dangerous addictions and the affections of the seductive, occult-obsessed Patricia (Kathleen Quinlan), the band starts to worry about their leader.
Director
Oliver Stone
Producer
Bill Graham, Sasha Harari, A. Kitman Ho
Screenwriter
Oliver Stone, Randall Jahnson
Distributor
TriStar Pictures, Artisan Entertainment
Production Co
Carolco Pictures Inc., Imagine Entertainment, Bill Graham Films, Ixtlan Corporation, Carolco International N.V.
Rating
R
Genre
Biography, History, Drama, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 1, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$32.7M
Runtime
2h 15m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, CDS, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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