DOORS OPEN

UK, 2012, 100 minutes, Colour.
Douglas Henshall, Stephen Fry, Kenneth, Collard, Lenora Critchlow, Brian Mc Cardie, Elliot Cowan, Philip Whitchurch.
Directed by Marc Evans.

Doors Open is based on the novel by Scottish writer, Ian Rankin. Some readers have applauded the film. Others have find it a poor adaptation.

Set in Edinburgh, it is the story of a heist. Douglas Henshall is a millionaire with love of art. He is in love with Lenora Critchlow, an expert. Their friend, an art expert in Professor, is played with his usual exuberance by Stephen Fry. Kenneth Collard plays a banker, another friend of the group.

When the bank decides to offer its art collection for sale, the Professor is upset and suggests a heist with the collaboration of his friends. They realised they would need real criminal help and employ a friend of Michael with his gang – and he is in debt to a loan shark from Newcastle.

The film shows the preparations, the execution of the heist which, generally, goes smoothly, only a few moments of hiccups. But, of course, there is a twist, and the Professor is not all that he seems.

The film was directed by Marc Evans, who made such films as My Little Eye, Trauma.

1. The popularity of Ian Rankin’s novels? A satisfying adaptation?

2. The Scottish settings, Edinburgh, the city, galleries, banks, the countryside? Musical score?

3. The introduction to Robert, at the auction, his lectures, art expertise? The introduction to Michael, at the football with Alan, friends, going to the gallery, the discussions with Laura? The focus on the painting, the bidding, his buying it, a gift for Laura?

4. Five years later: Laura separated from Michael, his selling his business, bored and miserable? The bank, the inventory of the paintings, Laura in charge, her relationship with Bruce, the effect on Robert, disheartened? Alan, family difficulties, the summons by human resources, his being sacked?

5. Robert, his proposal, his motivations? Bringing Michael and Alan into the plan? Michael’s money? Alan, pessimistic, influenced by television shows and police work? The agreement, the planning?

6. The observations, the man at the gate, the cleaning van, their inability to do the job? Charlie, his money difficulties, his henchmen, the Geordie and his demands and threats, the tough and his doing the dirty work?

7. Michael, bringing Charlie into the job, his men? The planning, the disguises and Alan trying on many, Stephen Fry as a cleaner!, The van and painting it, the others going by bus?

8. Laura, meeting with Michael, the tension, two years separated, Laura’s relationship with Bruce, their work at the bank, checking the paintings? Her breaking with Bruce? His being injured during the robbery?

9. The robbery itself, most things going smoothly, Alan locking the door, Charlie getting the man to reset? The tour of the gallery? The fire alarm? The guard at the gate and his manoeuvres? Laura going in, Bruce going in?

10. The dumping of the van, getting the picture to the Geordie, the examination, its being a fake, the threats?

11. Michael, the confession to Laura, going to the house, Robert disappearing with the paintings, and also with sketches? But his leaving the favoured painting of the woman? Laura arriving at the showdown, giving the picture, ringing the police, everybody fleeing?

12. Five years later: the reconciliation between Laura and Michael, together in France, seeing the picture in the window, buying it? Robert, in Asia, his letter wishing them well, his comfort, by himself?

13. An entertaining heist film?