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Jacqueline Kim, Elaine Kao, Tzi Ma, Kathy Shao-Lin Lee, Mia Riverton ... see more see more... , Freda Foh Shen , Rossif Sutherland , Jayce Bartok , Cindy Cheung , Mao Zhao , Sebastian Stan , Stephen Rowe

The retired patriarch of a New York-based Chinese-American family finds that escaping the insanity of his decidedly dysfunctional clan is more difficult than he anticipated in a thoughtful family dram... read more read more...a from writer/director Georgia Lee. There was a time when the Wong's were happy, but time has a strange way of transforming relationships and now all that Ed Wong (Tzi Ma) can see in his family is frustration and rebellion. Though he longs to flee to the calming confines of an upstate Buddhist monastery, Ed is about to find out just how the actions of his three mischievous daughters can throw his outwardly perfect plan for the future into question. As his well-heeled oldest daughter Samantha (Jacqueline Kim) reevaluates her love life and professional career while preparing for an upcoming wedding, middle daughter Julie (Elaine Kao) strives to improve the failing social life that has taken a back seat to her demanding schedule as a medical student, and youngest daughter Katie (Kathy Shao-lin Lee) enters into an increasingly dangerous prank war with longtime neighbor and determined nemesis Simon. Though a look back at the family's old home movies offer Ed a nostalgic glimpse into a happier time when the Wong's were actually able to communicate their feelings to one and other, the dejected father soon discovers that the stories and images from the past may provide new hope for the future as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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69% liked it

1,555 ratings

Critics

59% liked it

22 critics

R, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Georgia Lee

Release Date: April 22, 2005

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DVD Release Date: January 30, 2007

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Stats: 147 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (147)

  • hunterjt13
    April 15, 2011
    hunterjt13
    A comically suicidal father, a FOB-ie mother, and their three daughters, including an Asian punk, an advertising executive, and a lesbian doctor, try to find their place in American culture.
    This film's strengths are its ability to present characters who are both flawed and genui... read morenely good human beings. By the end of the film, I couldn't help but root for each of these people. Also, there are profoundly effective moments when we share in the joy and nostalgia that each of these characters feels for their old culture and lost youth. Backed against these dramatic moments are some very funny segments. The relatively violent flirtation between Katie and the boy at school provides some good comic relief, and for those of you who find a sick humor in ludicrously executed suicide attempts, Ed is your guy. Finally, I think there is the perfect balance between telling the story via dialogue and images.
    Unfortunately, I can't say that the characters ever rise beyond types. Most of them fall into some Asian-American stereotype. Thus, the film, in its attempt to problematize the dominant view of the Asian-American experience, ultimately doesn't add enough complication or personalization.
    Overall, Red Doors is a strong film, but it could have been so much more.
  • romy861
    April 27, 2009
    romy861
    Slight, but decent. Not a terrible lot happens, and I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to see this, but there are worse uses of an hour and a half.
  • gator681
    October 4, 2007
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]In "Red Doors," Ed(Tzi Ma) has just retired and with little to do during the day, turns his mind to suicide but is consantly interrupted.(One of the universal truths is that there is never anything good on television during the day.) His eldest daughter, Sam(... read moreJacqueline Kim), can sense something wrong and buys him three months worth of psychiatric visits for his birthday. She is also engaged to be married to Mark(Jayce Bartok), when an old flame, Alex(Rossif Sutherland), reenters her life. The middle daughter, Julie(Elaine Kao), works as an intern in a hospital in New York City where an actress, Mia Scarlett(Mia Riverton), is researching a role. The only possible underachiever in the family is Katie(Kathy Shao-Lin Lee), who attends high school where she pursues an unusual flirtation with Simon(Sebastian Stan).[/font]

    [font=Century Gothic]"Red Doors" is a gentle and winning but slightly predictable comedy of manners that is concerned with communication between loved ones, or lack therein of any. So, when we do not have the words to express how we feel, sometimes a gesture can accomplish the same thing, even if it may seem a little odd.[/font]
  • ileo
    June 26, 2008
    ileo
    Fantastic movie! Amazing story plot. Here's an interesting movie about a Chinese-American family that connect, and help each other, in the various day-to-day life, in both good and hard times. Great cast. Hilarious! A must-see!
  • marevalo83
    March 19, 2010
    marevalo83
    What a great movie! Funny and endearing, with such a cute ending. I'm going to be such a sap here, but it was nice to see everyone get happy.
  • jamiebabysf
    March 9, 2009
    jamiebabysf
    A quirky indie-style film. I thourghly enjoyed this interesting take on the american familial experience asian style!! Highly textured and interesting characters. All in all worth the watch.
  • law2255
    March 12, 2007
    law2255
    For anyone wanting to learn the dynamics of Chinese and American cultures in America, this is a film that offers viewers unique viewing windows to see.

View All Red Doors Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ty Burr
January 12, 2007
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Not surprisingly, the three Wong sisters and their father could exist in separate movies -- their (short) stories are interesting but not convincingly knit together. Think of Red Doors as a promise, a... Full Review

G. Allen Johnson
September 22, 2006
G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

A gentle, pleasant film about people you genuinely like. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
September 8, 2006
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

... the script falls victim to the stereotypes and cliches so often found in movies about Asian-American families.

Elizabeth Weitzman
September 8, 2006
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

Red Doors feels like a first-time film; quirks are overplayed while themes remain underdeveloped. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 8, 2006
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Named for the traditional Chinese color of good luck, the gentle indie drama Red Doors is really more in the rosy pink range of the color palette than a more primary emotional hue. Full Review

John Anderson
September 7, 2006
John Anderson, Newsday

Well-shot, well-written film. Full Review

Stephen Holden
September 7, 2006
Stephen Holden, New York Times

This agreeable, lightweight movie, written and directed by Georgia Lee, turns the malaises of a suburban family into bittersweet farce that teeters between cheeky humor and surface pathos.

Logan Hill
September 7, 2006
Logan Hill, New York Magazine

A few of the plot threads are woven more neatly than others, but the film makes for a promising debut. Full Review

Melissa Levine
September 5, 2006
Melissa Levine, Village Voice

Red Doors is so well-meaning, with such obvious affection for its characters, that it pleases nonetheless. Full Review

Ronnie Scheib
September 1, 2005
Ronnie Scheib, Variety

Despite pic's earnestness and obvious good intentions, narrative elements, carefully set forth though they may be, fall back on overfamiliar, underdeveloped tropes. Full Review

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