Harry Potter for adults. That’s how I’d describe The Portable Door (2023) that’s available for free for AMAZON Prime Video subscribers. Adapted from Tom Holt’s 2003 fantasy novel, this film is co-produced by the Jim Henson Company with Christoph Waltz and Sam Neill playing dual roles.
The Portable Door is a door that will take you anywhere you want. It is hiding somewhere in the venerable London magic establishment of JW Wells & Company. JW Wells uses magic to engineer daily incidents of coincidence and serendipity that happen in urban life…for a fee, of course.
Paul Carpenter (Patrick Gibson), desperate for a job, signs up for a position at JW Wells. Carpenter struggles to figure out what he should be doing, unlike his fellow new hire, Sophie (Sophie Wilde), whose ability as a Seer is soon put to magical use. Carpenter is relieved when CEO Humphrey Wells (Waltz) assigns him with the bewildering task of finding the magic door that is hiding somewhere in the maze-like grottos of the creepy premises.
Director Jeffrey Walker keeps the story moving with magical happenings at this corporate Hogwarts. If you’re in the mood for a mildly entertaining comic adventure with some romance mixed in, I recommend The Portable Door. GRADE: B
Doesn’t sound like my bag. But I’d sure like to find a door to somewhere without the detestable Trump, Putin, and Abbott.
Fred, I’m with you on a door to a land without autocrats.
Haven’t heard of this. Sounds like Jackie might like it. She watches more fantasy stuff than I do. It does sound better than the last Waltz thing we tried to watch – THE CONSULTANT, which we didn’t like much and quit after two or three episodes.
Jeff, THE PORTABLE DOOR has a Harry Potter vibe and entertained me. I watched the first episode of RESIDENT ALIEN and I’m about to walk away. I’ll give it another episode before I decide.
I’ll try one when we get home, but I’m skeptical about Resident Alien after last year.
Jackie is adding this movie to her watch list.
Jeff, the first episode of this new season of RESIDENT ALIEN was dull. I’m halfway out the door…
Not sure but I like time travel and maybe it had the air of that.
Patti, Time is flexible in THE PORTABLE DOOR.
This sounds interesting but I think I’ll look for Tom Holt’s book instead.
I watched the first Resident Alien. I didn’t think it was that bad but I’m sorry to see that little girl leave. Heavy sigh.
Beth, I’m with you on the little girl leaving. She was one of my favorite characters on RESIDENT ALIEN. I’ll be reviewing three new Tom Holt books soon. You would enjoy THE PORTABLE DOOR on AMAZON Prime Video despite the slow start.