Budding auteur Georgia Lee, Harvard educated of Chinese ancestry, wrote and directed 'Red Doors.' Only one red door (actually a double entrance door) is actually featured, at the home of the featured family. It seems that red has meanings of joy and happiness.
Here we have what at first seems like a typical Chinese-American family. Dad is 60 and has just retired. Mom stays at home. Oldest daughter is a successful business person, middle daughter is a medical school student doing well, and youngest daughter is in high school, bent on doing her own thing. The oldest daughter is living with a Caucasian boyfriend and is planning her wedding which is scheduled soon.
While the movie is pleasant and told in a pleasant manner, the main themes are broadly hinted at early so it is no surprise when they develop that way. That isn't all bad, but I was hoping for more subtlety. Not all the acting is convincing, and some of the transitions are abrupt. Still, an overall enjoyable movie.
SPOILERS. Dad seems depressed, by his account has tried suicide at least 30 times. "What happened?", asks the shrink. "I was always interrupted." So he sees a Buddist monastery in a leaflet and leaves home to hang out with the monks, with no word to his family. Oldest daughter is planning the wedding but feels that it may not be right. Almost at the last minute tells her fiancée' that she is not ready, gives his ring back. Middle daughter finds herself attracted to a pretty actress who is doing research at the hospital for a movie role. They become a couple. Dad finally comes home, youngest daughter gets a boyfriend, the red doors bring happiness.
Here we have what at first seems like a typical Chinese-American family. Dad is 60 and has just retired. Mom stays at home. Oldest daughter is a successful business person, middle daughter is a medical school student doing well, and youngest daughter is in high school, bent on doing her own thing. The oldest daughter is living with a Caucasian boyfriend and is planning her wedding which is scheduled soon.
While the movie is pleasant and told in a pleasant manner, the main themes are broadly hinted at early so it is no surprise when they develop that way. That isn't all bad, but I was hoping for more subtlety. Not all the acting is convincing, and some of the transitions are abrupt. Still, an overall enjoyable movie.
SPOILERS. Dad seems depressed, by his account has tried suicide at least 30 times. "What happened?", asks the shrink. "I was always interrupted." So he sees a Buddist monastery in a leaflet and leaves home to hang out with the monks, with no word to his family. Oldest daughter is planning the wedding but feels that it may not be right. Almost at the last minute tells her fiancée' that she is not ready, gives his ring back. Middle daughter finds herself attracted to a pretty actress who is doing research at the hospital for a movie role. They become a couple. Dad finally comes home, youngest daughter gets a boyfriend, the red doors bring happiness.