The date: tomorrow. The time: early morning. The problem: a series of dirty bombs have gone off in downtown Los Angeles. You, personally, are fine; however it is your loved one that has possibly been affected. It is your loved one that might be contaminated. It is your loved one that you are forced to watch suffer from the other side of a piece of plastic.
In Right at Your Door, writer/director Chris Gorak takes a situation that many people deem impossible and makes it both scary and real. Putting the pressure on the two central characters, Lexi and Brad, Gorak is able to capture the intensity, the panic and even the running emotions, as what seems to be an ordinary morning turns into a day from hell.
After sending his wife off to work, struggling musician Brad (played by Rory Cochrane) is suddenly drawn to the radio as announcements of dirty bombs detonating in downtown Los Angeles are played. Sudden panic and a busy phone server force Brad out to find his wife (Mary McCormack). Unfortunately the roads are blocked off and Brad must return home where he finds the handyman from next door, Alvaro, who needs somewhere to stay. Waiting as long as they can, Brad and Alvaro are forced to tape up the house as word of air-born toxins has reached the airwaves.
Shortly after the house has been taped, Lexi comes stumbling up to the door to find that there is no way in. Emotions run high as the new couple are forced to look at each other from opposite sides of a door, knowing that their time together is limited, and what time they have left will not in essence 'be together'.
Working with a limited budget and scarce resources, Gorak took a simple story and made it into a powerful film. Capturing the realness of the situation, Gorak is able to propose a question. What would you do in this extremely likely situation? This simple question not only makes the film more personable, but provides it with a lasting impression on your mind. It isn't until a few days later when you find that you are still thinking about this brilliant film that you realize that this film has accomplished what so many other films strive to do. It has stuck with you long after the credits finished rolling.
All in all, I would have to say that up to this point, Right at Your Door is easily one of the best films of the year. Though I feel that it touches extremely sensitive subject matter that will not be accepted by everyone; neither the acting nor the directing are to be missed. This film is one of a few that is a true must see.
