The Door in the Floor
Alternately tragic and comic, an exploration of the complexities of love in both its brightest and darkest corners. Adapted from John Irving's best-selling novel A Widow for One Year, the film is set in the privileged beach community of East Hampton, New York and chronicles one pivotal summer in the lives of famous children's book author Ted Cole (Jeff Bridges) and his beautiful wife Marion (Kim Basinger). Their once-great marriage has been strained by tragedy. Her resulting despondency and his subsequent infidelities have prevented the couple from confronting a much-needed change in their relationship. Eddie O'Hare, the young man Ted hires to work as his summer assistant, is the couple's unwitting yet willing pawn - and, ultimately, the catalyst in the transformation of their lives.
Member Reviews
Yikes! - maw-
I really like John Irving's novels. I have enjoyed most movies adapted from his novels. This one has me stumped though. I haven't read the book yet, but I'm wondering if I should give it a miss. I just can't relate to any of the main characters except maybe Eddie. And then there's Ted - "successful children's author" - are you kidding me? (But I'm also just not a Jeff Bridges fan.) Perhaps the screenplay would make sense in the context of the other two sections of the book that were not adapted. We can only hope. ...And why is this movie listed in Zip as a French drama?Compelling story, great on-screen performances - Goffin
Adapted from John Irving’s A Widow for One Year, The Door in the Floor takes one-third of the novel and adapts it for the movie screen. In some ways, there is th feeling of “adapted from a novel” – a few of the side characters and their relationships with the main actors and under-developed and unexplained (for example, there are a few scenes with Bijou Phillips, the nanny, where material was obviously either left on the on the novel page or the cutting-room floor).
Jeff Bridges shines as an eccentric, slightly out-of-control children’s author. He’s an actor who could possibly use some more discretion in the roles he chooses, but can be great at times (The Big Lebowski, The Fisher King). Kim Basinger also turns in an understated performance as a woman who has lost all hope for life. Jon Foster as Eddie, who finds himself between the crumbling marriage of the Bridges and Basinger characters, was very good – I hope to see him in future roles.
I had lot expectations for the film – I’m generally not a John Irving fan, though some movie adaptations of his work have been done quite well. Bridges and Basinger can be hit-or-miss. But it all came together for Door in the Floor – a compelling story, and great on-screen performances.The door should be locked... - Basil
As much as I heard about Kim Basinger's different performance in this film, I just didn't get it.
I understand that the couple has problems, you get that. But what I didn't get was why the husband decided to separate from his wife, give her a nice little young man to sleep with all for the sake of revealing to the viewer how the family lost their two sons and had now become dysfunctional.
It was a bit slow but Jeff Bridges did a good job showing his character as odd, as very odd indeed.
However, other than that, I would keep the door to the floor locked...
Member Reviews
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Yikes! - maw-
I really like John Irving's novels. I have enjoyed most movies adapted from his novels. This one has me stumped though. I haven't read the book yet, but I'm wondering if I should give it a miss. I just can't relate to any of the main characters except maybe ...Compelling story, great on-screen performances - Goffin
Adapted from John Irving’s A Widow for One Year, The Door in the Floor takes one-third of the novel and adapts it for the movie screen. In some ways, there is th feeling of “adapted from a novel” – a few of the side characters and their relationships with ...The door should be locked... - Basil
As much as I heard about Kim Basinger's different performance in this film, I just didn't get it.
I understand that the couple has problems, you get that. But what I didn't get was why the husband decided to separate from his wife, give her a nice ...