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Poster for Golden Door

Golden Door

Seen it?

2006 | 118 min | History, Drama, Romance

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (72% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics and history buffs. If you loved Call Me by Your Name or An Officer and a Gentleman, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 58 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The story is set at the beginning of the 20th century in Sicily. Salvatore, a very poor farmer, and a widower, decides to emigrate to the US with all his family, including his old mother. Before they embark, they meet Lucy. She is supposed to be a British lady and wants to come back to the States. Lucy, or Luce as Salvatore calls her, for unknown reasons wants to marry someone before to arrive to Ellis Island in New York. Salvatore accepts the proposal. Once they arrive in Ellis Island they spend the quarantine period trying to pass the examinations to be admitted to the States. Tests are not so simple for poor farmers coming from Sicily. Their destiny is in the hands of the custom officers.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    72% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.5 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    1 win and 6 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $7 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 8K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Emanuele Crialese

  • Charlotte GainsbourgLucy Reed
  • Vincenzo AmatoSalvatore Mancuso
  • Aurora QuattrocchiFortunata Mancuso
  • Francesco CasisaAngelo Mancuso
  • Filippo PucilloPietro Mancuso
  • Vincent SchiavelliDon Luigi
  • Federica De ColaRita D'Agostini
  • Isabella RagoneseRosa Napolitano
  • Massimo LaguardiaMangiapane
  • Filippo LunaDon Ercole