
Red Doors
2005, Comedy/Drama, 1h 31m
25 Reviews 1,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Flawed yet filled with finely detailed characters, Red Doors is a glimpse of the Asian-American experience that suggests great promise for writer-director Georgia Lee. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
The patriarch (Tzi Ma) of a Chinese-American family plans to get away from it all when he retires, but the tumultuous lives of his rebellious daughters alter his plans. Eldest daughter, Samantha (Jacqueline Kim), reunites with an old flame and re-evaluates her life choices. Julie (Elaine Kao), a medical student, is in love with a celebrity. The youngest, Katie (Kathy Shao-Lin Lee) carries on an escalating war of pranks with a neighbor.
Cast & Crew
Jacqueline Kim
Samantha
Samantha
Tzi Ma
Ed Wong
Ed Wong
Kathy Shao-Lin Lee
Katie
Katie
Elaine Kao
Julie
Julie
Freda Foh Shen
May-Li Wong
May-Li Wong
Rossif Sutherland
Alex
Alex
News & Interviews for Red Doors
Critic Reviews for Red Doors
Audience Reviews for Red Doors
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Apr 15, 2011A 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 genuinely 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, <i>Red Doors</i> is a strong film, but it could have been so much more.Jim H Super Reviewer
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Apr 27, 2009Slight, 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.Nicki M Super Reviewer
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Dec 29, 2007Fantastic 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!Leo L Super Reviewer
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Oct 04, 2007[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(Jacqueline 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]Walter M Super Reviewer
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