Red Doors
User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8

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  1. ChadS.
    Apr 27, 2007
    8
    Although not entirely successful, the attempts at black humor does do the trick of staving off comparisons to Wayne Wang's "The Joy Luck Club". This family seems too self-absorbed with their own lives, and as a result, they seem too blase about their father's repeated attempts at suicide. Especially Katie(Kathy Shao-Lin Lee), who's in an embattled game of one-upmanship with her neighbor that involves practical jokes which escalates in danger as a sort of edgy courtship. Despite these flaws, however, "Red Doors" is at times, uncanny in its ability to make us feel good, thanks largely in part to Julie(Elaine Kao), whose relationship with Mia(Mia Riverton), recalls a dyke version of "Notting Hill" with the same good cheer and warmth. In a slight deviation from the story conventions we come to expect in some film about a second generation-Chinese family, when Samantha(Jacqueline Kim) leaves her man, it's for another man of the same race. She's firmly planted in the first world, unlike her father(Tzi Ma), whose plan of attack against his own mental sickness faintly recalls Todd Haynes' "Safe". "Red Doors" is aided immesuarbly by an ending that doesn't wrap everything up in a nice bow; a red bow. As recognized in the Chinese culture, red is a signification of luck, and to a man like Ed, not having a son(a heir to pass down the family name), makes him unlucky and unwilling to use the door where his anxious family awaits him.… Expand
  2. MichaelF.
    Dec 19, 2006
    1
    There's nothing in this film I haven't seen a dozen times in other movies.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
60 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Joshua Katzman
    60
    Predictable but sincere.
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  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Pete Vonder Haar
    60
    A film about a family billed as "bizarrely dysfunctional" – is a pleasant enough experience. However, it probably could have used a little more of the bizarre or dysfunctional to spice things up.
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  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Sheri Linden
    70
    Well-told and charming, debuting writer-helmer Georgia Lee's comedy-drama Red Doors is big on heart but never sappy. Without overdoing the quirk factor or the melodrama, Lee shows a sure feel for family dynamics, and her light touch brings out the best in the ensemble's lovely, understated performances.
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