IMDb > Life as a House (2001)
Life as a House
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Life as a House (2001) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 77 | slideshow) Videos (see all 7 NEW)
Life as a House (2001) -- Home Video Preview
Life as a House (2001) -- 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.
Life as a House (2001) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Life as a House (2001) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)
Life as a House (2001) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   17,883 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Irwin Winkler
Writer (WGA):
Mark Andrus (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Life as a House on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 November 2001 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
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. | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(15 articles)
10 Most Overrated Young Actors
 (From The Movie Fanatic. 13 October 2009, 7:18 PM, PDT)

Messages Deleted Movie Trailer
 (From Slash Film. 20 September 2009, 2:13 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
I Gave It Eight Out Of Ten. more (342 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

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 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Filming Locations:
Bermuda more
Company:
Winkler Films more

Fun Stuff

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. more
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. more
Quotes:
Sam: [whispering] I'm not even listening. more
Movie Connections:
Edited into The Making of 'Life as a House' (2001) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
What You Wish For more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
I Gave It Eight Out Of Ten., 5 May 2003
8/10
Author: Scott LeBrun from Winnipeg, Canada

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.)

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (342 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Life as a House (2001)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Too Many Layers of Unreality Bruce7
What's wrong with Sam? rayment8771
'Paula Cole's not a vertical kisser' ThatSoapsALittleHard
But Dad, you have No idea the power of the Dark Side jonmon
this sounds very jerky but is my one criticism of this great movie ms-catamaran
all dazed and confused rajiraouf
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Anderson's Cross Palindromes The Ice Storm American Beauty Lola + Bilidikid
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.