The Door in the Floor (7/10)
I wish I would have written this right after seeing it, so it might take me a minute to warm up here. The Door in the Floor, starring Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger, is an original, quirky movie. The story is about a children’s book author, Ted Cole (Bridges), and his wife, Marion (Basinger), that become estranged and separate after their two sons are killed in a car accident. Ted realizes that his wife won’t leave without a nudge, so he hires an intern, Eddie (Jon Foster) that looks just like one of their sons. Marion and Eddie immediately hit it off and start to have an affair.
Bridges plays his usual oddball character, but there’s a little more to it this time. He does a great job of fleshing out his character and becomes quite transparent. Basinger was okay and didn’t have that much dialogue, which could explain it. Jon Foster was good too. My favorite was Elle Fanning (younger sister of Dakota Fanning). She is “as cute as a button” and played a very good part for a 6 year old. I hope she does more movies - especially drama. My favorite part of the movie was when Bridges character is being chased down by his current mistress played by Mimi Rogers. It is a pretty funny part towards the climax of a very serious movie. I love it when films switch gears on you at just the right time like that.
I liked the movie, but it wasn’t great. Focus Features puts out some really good movies and I’d have to say that this falls in line with most of what they produce. My favorite from them so far is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - a movie I hope to review soon.
Add comment December 28th, 2004