Red Doors
by Georgia Lee (III)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Elaine Kao, Freda Foh Shen, Jacqueline Kim, Kathy Shao-Lin Lee, Tzi MaDirector: Georgia Lee (III)
Brand: Uni
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 90 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-01-30
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Red Doors
Movie Review: "Gone, Gone, Gone Beyond, Gone Altogether Beyond" ~ The Quest For Harmony And Happiness While Dealing With Impermanence
Summary: 5 Stars
Synopsis: Have you ever wondered why the Chinese tend to have red front doors? It's because red is the color that attracts harmony and happiness to the occupants within, that's why. With that bit of information in mind the audience is now armed with a little insight into what lies ahead. The '06 cinematic release `Red Doors' is a gem of a film about a Chinese-American family that has lost their harmony, happiness and family connectedness despite the bright red front door and the porcelain Kwan Yin displayed in the dinning room. This familial unrest and discord is subtly and symbolically presented to the viewer at the beginning of the story as we see a seemingly happy family dinner coming to an end. As Samantha, the oldest of three daughters leaves the table she accidently bumps the Kwan Yin statue off a nearby cabinet. The shattering of the beloved and compassionate Goddess who also bestows "harmony and happiness" to those who honor her immediately informs us that things are not as they should be.
The problems within this quiet home have come to a head with the retirement of Ed (Tzi Ma), husband and father of the household. He has already lost the time and attention of his daughters that he so much enjoyed when they were young. Life doesn't stand still, things change and so has the mode of communication between Samantha (Jacqueline Kim), Julie (Elaine Kao) and Katie (Kathy Shao-Lin Lee). Now busy with their lives outside the house they've lost the close relationship they once had with their aging parents. Sadly, the only time Ed smiles is when he's alone watching old VHS tapes of the children. In his self-imposed silence Ed desperately seeks a way out. Numerous attempts at suicide have failed due to interruptions or ineptness however when he discovers that a large Buddhist monastery is nearby in leaves a cryptic goodbye note on his computer and disappears. As his wife and daughters deal with the situation and try to make sense of what's happened they slowly begin to look within to discern where their happiness lies and discover what they must do to make their hopes and dreams come true.
Critique: I absolutely love this film, it reminds me quite a bit of `The Joy Luck Club' and even more so `Eat Drink Man Woman' (Chinese with English subtitles). Everything is right on the money with this movie; production values, soundtrack, storyline and dialogue. As for the cast, well that's the best part. The chemistry between them makes you believe they're a real family. This is one I could watch over and over again!
Postscript: Have you pondered the reason why the title of the film is `Red Doors', not `Red Door', after all a house has only one front entrance doesn't it? Maybe I just enjoy over analyzing things but I think it's yet another subtle reminder that harmony and happiness comes from within. Each of us has our own metaphorical red door to discover. When we find it and open ourselves to its power all is right in the world.
Summary of Red Doors
A Chinese-American retiree's sudden disappearance inspires life-changing perspectives in each of his three daughters. RED DOORS has captivated audiences, festival jurors, and film critics alike en route to winning awards at the Tribeca Film Festival, CineVegas, and Outfest. Funny and moving, absurd and painfully real, RED DOORS provides a unique view of the modern American family.A bittersweet film about a Chinese-American family living in New York, Red Doors offers moments of humor as well as emotional triumph. Though the Wongs may appear to be the perfect nuclear family to outsiders, they're really just your typical dysfunctional American family. Helmed by first-time director Georgia Lee, this indie film is to be applauded for presenting a different type of Asian-American family than the model one that's been mythologized in the media. Dad (Tzi Ma) is suicidal. Eldest daughter Samantha (Jacqueline Kim) gifts him with therapy sessions, middle daughter Julie (Elaine Kao) is a confused lesbian, and Katie (Lee's real-life sister Kathy Shao-Lin Lee), the youngest, has a disturbing relationship with a neighborhood boy that involves dead rats, explosives, and no sense of boundaries. Therapy actually wouldn't be wasted on Katie, who often appears emotionally dead. When she catches her father trying to hang himself (one of 30 or 40 suicide attempts, as he tells his therapist), she doesn't blink an eye. Rather, she calmly announces that lunch is ready. In their own ways, the family members come to terms with their individual crises. The actors, especially the expressive Ma, are convincing in their roles. But overall, Lee doesn't provide enough cohesiveness with either the story or the pacing to make viewers truly care about the complicated Wongs. --Jae-Ha Kim
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