Director: Istvan Szabo
Cast: Helen Mirren, Martina Gedeck, Karoly Eperjes, Gabor Koncz, Eniko Borcsok, Mari Nagy, Agi Szirtes.
Rating: (M)
3 stars (out of 5)
Set in the early '60s, the story revolves around a relationship between two women, the incorrigible grumpy washerwoman Emerence (Helen Mirren) and prominent novelist Magda (Martina Gedeck). When Magda asks Emerence to assist her with some household chores, she unwittingly is drawn into Emerence's secretive world.
The "door" in question actually stands for the physical entrance to Emerence's flat that no-one is allowed to see inside, though metaphorically it stands for the continual references to a dark hidden past, most of which is cloaked in the horror of WW2.
As random as Emerence's behaviour is (and it is amusingly very random), Magda and her husband Tibor (Karoly Eperjes) tolerate her for fear of losing her services. As time goes on, Magda starts to develop a sense of friendship with Emerence that exposes frailties within each of their characters.
As hard as it is to write a summation of The Door that makes it sound any more riveting, the thing is, if it wasn't for superb performances from Mirren and Gedeck it would be pretty forgettable. Daring to make Mirren look every bit her 67 years and some, which is no easy task, director Istvan Szabo's (Being Julia) skill at harnessing performance is never in doubt. But, when the film's two most memorable scenes are stylish flashback interludes, you are left wondering is there a compelling reason to persevere with the rest?
Best thing: Helen Mirren's class act.
Worst thing: The pedestrian pacing.
See it with: A steaming bowl of goulash.
- Written by Mark Orton.
