The Door in the Floor is not just a study of a fast disintegrating marriage. It looks effectively into the mind of an adulterous husband and how he sets in motion a chain of events that lead his wife into a relationship with a teenager.

Here is a sharply observed study of a wounded marriage and the games the affluent writer and his wife play against each other -- and how the teenager, who is at least 25 years younger than the wife, becomes a part of the couple's manipulation.

Hollywood is not new to the genre of young boys falling for older women. What makes the film work is the performances by its leading actors Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger and director Tod Williams's gripping narration.

What mars the film though is the time Williams takes to build the scenes leading to the affair. And his preoccupation with the sexual fantasies of its teenage character that lead to a predictable affair.

The Door in the Floor, based in part on John Irving's novel A Widow for One Year, is one of the few summer releases that deserve serious attention. In limited release now, the film, which is slowly expanding across the country, could become an arthouse hit.

Bridges is one of the more underestimated of Hollywood actors. Though he has received excellent reviews for much of his work, the star is yet to be seen in a runaway hit. His performance here deserves to be widely seen and applauded.

He plays Ted Cole, a frustrated 'serious' author. Ted has taken up writing children's books and yet cannot enjoy his successful career. His heart is still in what he considers to be serious books.

His womanising has robbed energy and enthusiasm out of his marriage to Marion (Kim Basinger). The death of their two sons in an accident seems to have led their marriage to deteriorate further.

Ted continues his trysts with young girls and an older woman (a riveting Mimi Rogers). His wife has an affair with Eddie, a 16 year-old boy (a promising Jon Foster) who was hired to help Ted Cole.

The psychological games between the husband and wife continue. We learn that Marion has been blaming her husband for the death of their boys.

Though Williams maintains a good grip over the film, there are some predictable areas that are jarring. Even those who are not familiar with Irving's work, for example, know soon after Eddie and Marion have met that the sexual tension between the two is going to create more complications. Reason? Eddie resembles one of Marion's dead sons.

Oscar-winner Basinger (for LA Confidential) continues to be one of Hollywood's underused stars. She delivers a stinging performance as a woman who knows some of the deepest secrets of her husband.

CREDITS
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Kim Basinger, Mimi Rogers, Jon Foster
Director: Tod Williams
Written by: Tod Williams based on the novel A Widow for One Year by John Irving
Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Rating: R for strong sexuality and graphic images and language
Distributed by Focus Features