By Romey Norton - January 9, 2024
Step Back, Doors Closing is a charming love story set over 24 hours in Washington, D.C. where two young, open-hearted individuals, Ryan and Julisa, spend an accidental romantic weekend together. On this journey of self-discovery, they both get more than they bargained for.
Who doesn’t dream about meeting a perfect stranger and falling in love? Rather than the hectic world of dating apps, this film reminds audiences that real connections can be made in the real world—especially when technology is put aside.
The film’s plot is familiar and easy to follow. Julisa (Carmen Berkeley) is flying to Washington, D.C., where Ryan (Reilly Walters) has just landed home and is planning to meet up with an old friend. Julisa drops her phone in the toilet, rendering it useless and Ryan’s friend bails on him, leading the two to meet and hit it off instantly.
They then spend a whole day together, with Ryan being the dream tour guide, showing Julisa the White House from a rooftop, and when they can dump their luggage, they can gently break down each other's walls and truly get to know one another. It’s not all just sickly, romance; the supporting characters give the film some needed comedic relief.
Through the story, the film tackles themes of a modern urban relationship, personal challenges, growing up, and navigating dating. Being set in Washington D.C. makes a nice change from typical places like London or New York - it offers a new perspective and an array of fresh filming locations. The lighting is rather lovely in this film - very soft - and a nice balance between light and dark which is hard to pull off. With the gentle and bouncy soundtrack, the aesthetics of this film is well thought out and aid the story, rather than distract from it.
Riley Walters does well portraying a newly single but still hopeful romantic, with an honest charm. Carmen Berkeley gives a sweet and committed performance as Julisa; both actors have undeniable chemistry on screen.
There are times when the dialogue feels sluggish and dull so you might disengage, but other times it feels honest and relatable. Conversations about family set-up like living with parents or financing a car, feel more adult, than whimsically talking about pipe dreams and dog names.
Now whilst sitting down and chatting gives time for intimate close-ups, the film needed slightly more action to help its pace. The film is at its strongest when the two leads enjoy activities together like going to museums and running around the blossom trees; it’s also when the actors look their most natural.
Towards the end, the story is predictable, but there’s a comfort in knowing what is going to happen. Ryan’s ex is in the background and Julisa has to leave soon, so will these two actually stay in touch or has this just been a romantic one-off weekend? You’ll have to watch to find out. But the ending isn’t rushed or disappointing.
Step Back, Doors Closing is an inspiring, hopeful film you’ll fall for instantly. Filled with charm and no cheesy-unrealistic scenes, this film is a sweet and wholesome watch. Definitely one for the singletons who might need to believe in dating and love again.
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