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The Door, Movie

The Door 2012

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There are those who sweep and those who pay others to sweep.

Set in 1960s Hungary, this drama depicts the unusual relationship between two women: a well-to-do novelist (Martina Gedeck, The Lives of Others) and her poor, elderly maid (Helen Mirren, The Queen). More

From their first encounter, it's clear that Emerence is no ordinary maid. Although everyone in the neighbourhood knows and respects her, no one knows anything about her private life or has ever been allowed to enter her home. However, a dramatic event in the writer's life prompts Emerence to unveil glimpses of her traumatic past - a past which sheds light on her very peculiar behaviour and leads to the tragic end of their friendship.

Adapted from the semi-autobiographical 1987 Hungarian novel by Magda Szabó, The Door is directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker, István Szabó (no relation) who directed Being Julia and won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1981 with Mephisto. Hide

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55 votes / 16 comments The Talk

  • 80 %

    Want to See it

    What say you?

    • sammy vile

      is Helen Mirren the new Judi Dench??

    • lily

      seen it, loved it. really fine story, gorgeous acting, great layers. and it gets my prize for best swim suit in a movie ever.

    • hey you

      Worse tag line ever

    • D F Stuckey

      Intriguing . . . Could crash and burn, but then could be a gem.

    • Red

      Haha, that is a terrible tagline.

    • Jan

      Book was moving, have high hopes for the film.

    • Denise

      I've not read the book but this trailer intrigues me. I will be watching the movie.

    • Lindsay Waugh

      Tedious and disappointing

    • Anne Buckley

      Forgettable

    • Paula

      This was the WORST movie ever. Cringe-making

    • Paul H

      Not to all tastes - but a real people driven drama. Great performances. Really grabs you.

    • Clare

      Saw this last night at the Hollywood in Sumner, Christchurch.A lovely film with great acting.

    • Tony

      What a disappointment, implausible, disjointed, poor directed, bad screen play, badly acted!

    • Mark S

      The heavy weight presence of Helen Mirren doesn't rescue this nicely crafted but essentially boring movie. Suit insomniac.

    • EmmaPerry

      Beautiful movie but as its slow its not to all tastes. Great acting. Loved it.

    • Fiona

      Intense, edgy movie with exquisite acting from HM and rest of cast. Some very funny lines.

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Flicks.co.nz Review

Rating:

  • AGREE? DISAGREE?...

  • Tim P

    This review is largely shamelessly copied from the Hollywood Reporter...a expected better

  • Steve-Newall

    Tim - I'm the Editor of Flicks and I don't agree with your opinion about Adam's review at all. Similar verdict but very different.

  • Jane&Bill

    Beautiful movie. Slow & gradual - so can see some might find it a bore. But we loved it!

  • Shannon-E

    Saw it yesterday - wonderful movie - but with no explosions, car chases or robots or superheroes in tights it may not appeal to many...

  • R A Umbers

    For a book or film to be made it should be a story worth telling.

  • PaulaCC

    Beautiful movie. Really moving. Makes you want to read the book.

  • Sarah Preston

    Lovely movie. Helen Mirren is great too :)

comment / reply
Adam Fresco Flicks Writer

Director István Szabó’s Mephisto scooped the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1982, so it’s great to welcome his return to form in this elegant drama. Set in 1960s Hungary, The Door relates the unlikely relationship between two women. Magda is a wealthy novelist (played by a superb Martina Gedeck), and Emerence her lowly maid, (a blistering performance by Helen Mirren). The leads are actresses' actresses and well-suited to what is in essence a rather old-fashioned character-driven drama.  More

Based on the novel by Hungarian author Magda Szabó, The Door never quite escapes a weighty theatricality, but nonetheless remains a powerful tale, powerfully told by two performers at the top of their game. The developing friendship between these two very different women is handled with great care and masterful craft. What would stretch believability to breaking point in the hands of a lesser director and actors is here made poignant, powerful and provocative.

Szabó’s deliberate and classic direction is perfectly complemented by Elemer Ragalyi’s cinematography, which underscores the majesty, drama and tragedy to be found in seemingly mundane and ordinary lives. For lovers of fine acting and intelligent, adult drama, The Door is akin to an evening at the theatre watching Dame Helen present Chekhov – you know you’re in safe hands. There’s no shock of the new here, just the delight to be had revelling in classic drama classily told. Hide

The People's Reviews

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Press Reviews

Hollywood Reporter

Good old-fashioned storytelling illuminates the relationship between two women in Istvan Szabo’s elegantly directed drama. Full review.

Stuff.co.nz

A subtle, engaging and thought-provoking tale. Full review.