The Wrong Door

The appeal of most no-budget filmmaking is its blissful ignorance of professional techniques.  After all, these movies are a labor of love made by people who have more enthusiasm than experience.  But every once in a while, an obscurity pops up that proves an exception to the rule.  The Wrong Door, eventually released in 1990 thanks to a collaboration with Film Threat Video Guide, is a shot on Super 8 suspense effort produced by a team of Midwest film school grads who come awfully  close to matching the polished output of their inspirations.

Ted has a radio drama project due in 24 hours, but he can’t say no to a quick singing telegram gig even if it involves a silly Jester costume.  While on the job he knocks on the wrong apartment, interrupting an argument that later leads to a woman’s death.  Regretting his cowardice, Ted gets a second chance when the body winds up in the backseat of his car.  Now in possession of a vital piece of evidence and pursued by the murderer, Ted (still in his Jester get-up) must outsmart the bad guy, prove his innocence and get his homework done before 8am.

 

The Wrong Door is a pretty serious affair, taking on the challenge of recreating a Hitchcock / De Palma scenario with meager resources.  But the directorial team of James Groestch, Shawn Korby and Bill Weiss - who each took on different assignments - use every trick in the cinematic playbook to pull it off, leaning on a complex sound design that cleverly echoes the main characters skill set.  Blow Out is the first of many films referenced but The Wrong Door never turns into a tribute piece; there’s a well-constructed narrative at work and plenty of surprises along the way.

 

Expectations should be managed, of course.  This is still a film that lacks a couple key ingredients to push it over the top.  And its lack of self-awareness when it comes to the plot could have used a dash of humor here and there.  But there’s a confidence and attention to detail behind the camera that’s rare in films of this time…hell, of any type!  The Wrong Door gets so many things right it should have got wrong, it deserves a genuine pat on the back.

 

Visual Vengeance gives this one a new 2K HD transfer from the original Super 8 elements which really digs into the dark cinematography.  And the special features are well above the curve, including an awesome 45-minute Making Of (not just raw interviews) that give a play-by-play on production.  There’s also a pair of audio commentaries, several shorts, story boards, and alternate director’s cut from 2019.  Packaging comes with slip cover, fold-out poster and pocket-sized door hanger.

 

 

 

 

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