Under the strong direction of Tod Williams, there are a few moments when I wondered how or if the same effect could be accomplished in Irving's prose, which I have always liked, but I never thought it deserved the accolades it received. And the film's mood follows Bridges's performance - earthy and sullen yet always forcing a pained grin. During the film, I thought about how this character was perfect practice for his role in Crazy Heart. In a word: Develop a talent for story-telling, lose all hope of getting work as a filmmaker in America.Ī philandering childrens book writer and his depressive wife invite a young writer into their home as they're still coping with the traumatic deaths of their sons.īased on a part of a John Irving novel, this film features a truly exceptional performance by Jeff Bridges. That of course means that audiences aren't interested in his work and producers don't want to work with him. I've complained a lot in the past few years about filmmakers who don't know much about stories.

There is so much story-telling in every scene. Williams' filmmaking is so good that a lot of ground is covered in such a short time. It's amazing how much we learn about this troubled family in two hours.

Little-known actor Jon Foster plays a prep-school intern hired to be Bridges' assistant for the summer. Four-year-old Elle Fanning plays their daughter. In 'The Door in the Floor,' which is based on the John Irving novel 'A Widow for One Year,' Jeff Bridges plays a famous writer living in the Hamptons.

Anyone remember Laurie Collyer, who made the exquisite 'Sherrybaby' in 2006? Or Karen Moncrieff, whose powerful 'The Dead Girl' also came out that year? They're probably waiting tables, no one willing to bankroll their films. What a travesty that director Tod Williams (not to be confused with Todd Field of 'In the Bedroom') has not been able to get a serious film made since 2004 - almost a decade! It pisses me off how many talented filmmakers in America die on the vine. It's a must-see DVD for anyone who cares about serious, complex drama and beautiful filmmaking. It has its flaws, but it also has magnificence. What an injustice that 'The Door in the Floor' has been seen by so few.

A widow for one year by john irving