Movie Review: 'Behind the Red Door' 1.5 of 5 stars
Maria Adams
Posted: 11/30/06
This AIDS film fails to invoke empathy in Matia Karrell "Behind the Red Door" (2002).

Roy (Kiefer Sutherland) is dying of AIDS. He decides to hire his estranged sister, Natalie (Kyra Sedgwick), to take photographs for his fashion campaign in order to reconnect. Now the two must overcome years of division due to the trauma of their mother's murder 15 years ago, of which their father was the main suspect. Together they search for their imaginary childhood kingdom of the red door that keeps all bad things out and holds in all that is good.

Despite its best efforts, the door fails the audience as bad film traits repeatedly manage to breach its borders. The film is an ineffective and unnecessary piece that fails to cover new ground or improve upon any old territory. None of the characters manage to invoke compassion or even interest, despite the hot-button subject matter.

The film attempts to repair its unimportance by tying in the murder-mystery subplot, but this only complicates matters. The story is punctuated with continual flashbacks of the two leads as children in an abusive family. It appears this will all lead to definitive conclusion, but it only leaves the audience with an anticlimactic semi-resolution that does little to propel the plot in the first place.

The actors can't manage to repair the overall damage the story invokes. There are fleeting endearing moments between the two leads, but they are far too infrequent to salvage the sentiment. In essence, these two characters are exceedingly unlikable, and the acting is partially to blame for this.

Sutherland ("24," "The Lost Boys") is perhaps the most unsympathetic AIDS patient imaginable. Not only does he not let on the debilitating nature of the disease, but his prior reputation as a villain or tough guy works as a handicap for him. While he is supposed to play the role of a fussy prima donna used to getting his own way, his temper tantrums tend to carry a far more sinister quality. At many points, it seems as though another family homicide will prove to be far more likely than a reunion.

Unfortunately, Sedgwick's demise may have been a blessing. Sedgwick ("Singles," "Phenomenon") was similarly disabled by her general acting range. She does well as a sentimental and ultra-feminine character, but is unconvincing when she tries to get tough or be decisive.

In general, the film is a bungle that works against storyline and character development. The plot is misdirected and the actors are miscast. The movie does little to further AIDS awareness or even compassion. It's best to keep this door locked.

Sag nichts gegen Gott, ich kann jede Hilfe gebrauchen die ich kriegen kann.