The Door in the Floor (DVD)

The Door in the Floor (2004) starring Jeff Bridges, Kim Basinger, Jon Foster, Mimi Rogers, Bijou Phillips, Elle Fanning. Based on John Irving's novel "A Widow for One Year," "The Door in the Floor" tells the story of one summer in the life of a family that is breaking up. Ted, the father, is a famous writer of children's books. Marion, the mother, has been turned to stone by the tragedy of a car accident in which both her sons were killed. Elle Fanning, Dakota's younger sister, plays Ruth, the four-year-old daughter. Eddie, the writer's assistant hired for the summer, is played by unknown Jon Foster. Ted and Marion, played by Bridges and Basinger, are not admirable characters. Both have flaws that make them unlikable. Foster, as Eddie, should be the center of the story, as it is told from his point of view. But his presence on screen is so weak that he seems to fade into the background of nearly every scene he's in. Many viewers will find "The Door in the Floor" unpleasant to watch, as there are no characters to admire. But I found it to be an absorbing study of dysfunctional people, and it was interesting to note the points of connection between the book and the movie. Grade: B