Life as a House (2001)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Irwin Winkler

Writer (WGA):

Mark Andrus (written by)

Release Date:

9 November 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Seen from a distance, it's perfect.

Plot:

When a man is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he takes custody of his misanthropic teenage son, for whom quality time means getting high, engaging in small-time prostitution, and avoiding his father. |

Plot Keywords:

Cancer | Cliff Jump | Huffing | Cliff Diving | Body Piercing

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Kevin Kline	...	George Monroe
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Robin Kimball
Hayden Christensen	...	Sam Monroe
Jena Malone	...	Alyssa Beck
Mary Steenburgen	...	Colleen Beck
Mike Weinberg	...	Adam Kimball
Scotty Leavenworth	...	Ryan Kimball
Ian Somerhalder	...	Josh
Jamey Sheridan	...	Peter Kimball
Scott Bakula	...	Officer Kurt Walker
Sandra Nelson	...	Nurse #1
Sam Robards	...	David Dokos
John Pankow	...	Bryan Burke
Kim Delgado	...	Bob Larson
Barry Primus	...	Tom

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexuality and drug use.

Runtime:

125 min | Argentina:122 min | Finland:120 min | Spain:127 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Malaysia:18PL (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (cut version) | USA:R (certificate #38322) | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:6 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:R21 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Bermuda

Company:

Winkler Films

Trivia:

'William Russ' was cast as Officer Kurt Walker and had filmed one scene, but before he could film the rest of his role he was injured in motorbike crash and was replaced by Scott Bakula.

Goofs:

Continuity: When George is talking to Robin after she has brought him and Sam pizza, the pizza boxes change position on the table numerous times.

Quotes:

Sam: [whispering] I'm not even listening.

Movie Connections:

Edited into The Making of 'Life as a House' (2001) (TV)

Soundtrack:

What You Wish For

I Gave It Eight Out Of Ten.

Drama about middle-aged George Monroe (Kevin Kline), who learns, right after he's been fired, that he has terminal, inoperable cancer. He decides to make the most of his remaining time on earth - and that includes building his dream house and bonding with his hostile, alienated son Sam (Hayden Christensen).

This is a shameless tearjerker although I have to admit it did push some of my buttons well. Works mainly as a showcase for a superb cast (even Christensen, who I know I dissed for his stiff performance in Attack of the Clones - here he shows he CAN actually act). In some ways, I guess it's kind of silly - was the subplot involving neighbor Colleen Beck (Mary Steenburgen) and teenager Josh (Ian Somerhalder) really necessary? - but in general it's a good film.

Kevin Kline acts as sort of an "anchor" for this film with a solid, low-key performance that helps to keep it rooted in some sort of reality. As a matter of fact, it's too bad they limit the Oscar nominees for best actor (et al) to five each year because I think he could have picked one up here.

I give it a generous eight out of ten. (Ten out of ten go to the cast.)