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 | Spoiled Child | Dog | Fall From Height | Cannabis

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:

The original script called for the Guster song "All the Way up to Heaven" to be used in the "car" scene that used the Guster song "Rainy Day" instead.

Goofs:

Continuity: We see Sam putting up Christmas lights for George after he goes to the hospital. Later he's walking away from the house and we see no lights on the house.

Quotes:

George: You're the most beautiful woman I have ever known.
Robin: What?
George: Not just physically. Even your anger's perfect.

Movie Connections:

Features A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Soundtrack:

Soluble Words

Hayden Christiansen's performance as Sam

People have said that Hayden Christiansen's performance was whiny and unbelievable, but, speaking as a 16 year old, I have to say I found it more believable than any other actor portraying a teenager ever. He was angst-y, angry, especially his parents, moody, distrustful, etc. And that's everything we are. Speaking as an expert whiner, yes, teenagers really are that whiney and we are that mad at the world and Hayden pulls off the anger and frustration perfectly. Some of the lines he said were familiar to me because I've heard them before in my own home. Hayden's performance was no less than stellar and he perfectly acts the rebellious, outraged teenager of the 2000s. I should know. :)