The Door in the Floor

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The Door in the Floor

R

2004

1h 51m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

137 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

The lives of Ted (Jeff Bridges) and Marion Cole (Kim Basinger) are thrown into disarray when their two adolescent sons die in a car wreck. Marion withdraws from Ted and Ruth (Elle Fanning), the couple's daughter. Ted, a well-known writer, hires as his assistant a student named Eddie (Jon Foster), who looks oddly similar to one of the Coles' dead sons. The couple separate, and Marion begins an affair with Eddie, while Ted has a dalliance with his neighbor Evelyn (Mimi Rogers).

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Critics Consensus

Though uneven in tone, this is one of the better adaptations of John Irving's novels, with Jeff Bridges giving one of his best performances.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 13, 2018

Jeff Bridges is extraordinary as Ted Cole...this hothouse tale of grief, sex and betrayal is told with a cool detachment that renders it commendably unsentimental--and slightly remote.

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Jeannette Catsoulis

Las Vegas Mercury

Sep 9, 2004

4/5

It takes nerve to use dead children as apologists for adult misbehavior, but nerve is something novelist John Irving has never lacked.

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Peter Rainer

New York Magazine/Vulture

Aug 7, 2004

Since when are dullness and realism synonymous?

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 26, 2026

3/4

The Door In the Floor is one of those movies that screws up the small details while tapping into the larger issues.

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Miles Fielder

The List

Apr 23, 2019

4/5

The Door in the Floor's leads have remained largely and woefully under-appreciated actors... Here, they both give career best performances.

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Mar 28, 2019

The female characters are either preposterous or pathetic.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 12, 2026

This is a *3* star Movie!

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Ed B.

@EdLee Apr 13, 2026

The Door in the Floor , is a very well acted out film. Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger play Bereaved parents of two teenage sons. The minor explores their torment in dealing with tragedy . Elle Fanning delivers a wonderful role as the baby sister. Overall movie is melancholy, but worth watching.

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Bob D

@RT18656422 Feb 24, 2025

Young Ms. Fanning truly outshines all other performances in this movie. The story is, after-all, about her character, Ruthie Cole. Elle's insight into the life and demands placed upon this troubled little girl (Ruth Cole) is genius.

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John A

@ExcessMale Nov 9, 2023

Begins fairly well but ultimately goes nowhere interesting with what is established so firmly in the first act. The cast is great.

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Marc Z

@TKDLife Jul 29, 2021

The real strength of this movie is the performances by Basinger and Bridges. They play two eccentric East Enders whose life is dismantled by the death of their two sons. Both are Oscar worthy. What unfolds is a tale of a young writing assistant that comes to apprentice with Bridges and falls in love with Basinger. While it is twisted and decedent in spots; its dysfunction feels real. How do people get past such a tragedy? The film's Hamptons setting is as much a character as anyone in the film. It is tragic. Seen through the confusion of a young man, coming of age, it works. Elle Fanning is good. I love Mimi Rogers but she was underutilized in this one. This is based, in part, on a John Irving piece.

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Jun 18, 2021

Bueno pienso que podria haber sido algo mejor 5/10

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Tod Williams

Director

Jeff Bridges

Ted Cole

Kim Basinger

Marion Cole

Jon Foster

Eddie O'Hare

Mimi Rogers

Eleanor Vaughn

Elle Fanning

Ruth

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79%

86%

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Synopsis

The lives of Ted (Jeff Bridges) and Marion Cole (Kim Basinger) are thrown into disarray when their two adolescent sons die in a car wreck. Marion withdraws from Ted and Ruth (Elle Fanning), the couple's daughter. Ted, a well-known writer, hires as his assistant a student named Eddie (Jon Foster), who looks oddly similar to one of the Coles' dead sons. The couple separate, and Marion begins an affair with Eddie, while Ted has a dalliance with his neighbor Evelyn (Mimi Rogers).

Director: Tod Williams
Producer: Anne Carey, Michael Corrente, Ted Hope
Screenwriter: John Irving, Tod Williams
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: This Is That Productions, Good Machine, Revere Pictures, Focus Features
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Images|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 14, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.8M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS

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