Who's That Knocking at My Door? 1968

In the bustling urban landscape of New York City, J.R., portrayed by Harvey Keitel, embodies the essence of a traditional Catholic Italian-American youth. He thrives within a closely-knit group of friends, engaging in spirited revelry and camaraderie. As the allure of adulthood beckons him, J.R.’s world shifts dramatically when he encounters a mesmerizing local girl on the Staten Island Ferry. This chance meeting ignites an unexpected longing for stability and a desire to start a family. His affection for her deepens, prompting him to make a profound decision to abstain from intimacy, believing she is untouched by past tribulations.

However, J.R.’s idyllic vision shatters when his girlfriend reveals a harrowing truth—she was once a victim of a previous partner’s brutality. Overwhelmed by this revelation, J.R. initially recoils, seeking refuge in the familiar chaos of nightlife with his buddies. Yet, after an especially wild night out, he confronts the consequences of his actions and feels an uncontrollable pull towards his girlfriend’s apartment as dawn breaks.

In a moment laced with both awkwardness and sincerity, J.R. declares his forgiveness and reaffirms his desire to marry her, despite the shadows of her past lingering overhead. Unfortunately, his heartfelt words do not resonate as he hoped; his girlfriend, played by Anne Collette, cautions him that their love cannot truly thrive if he remains shackled by her history. Furious and overwhelmed by his emotions, J.R. momentarily succumbs to anger, harshly labeling her a “whore,” only to quickly retract his words, recognizing the internal chaos he faces.

Sensing his turmoil, she urges him to leave, leading J.R. to seek solace within the confines of the Catholic church. However, upon entering those sacred halls, he finds himself grappling with an unsettling absence of peace, wrestling with the complex emotions that threaten to consume him.