Dream House (2011)

Soon after moving into their seemingly idyllic new home, a family learns of a brutal crime committed against former residents of the dwelling.

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writer:

David Loucka

Stars:

Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Craig	...	Will Atenton
Naomi Watts	...	Ann Patterson
Rachel Weisz	...	Libby
Elias Koteas	...	Boyce
Marton Csokas	...	Jack Patterson
Taylor Geare	...	Trish
Claire Geare	...	Dee Dee (as Claire Astin Geare)
Rachel G. Fox	...	Chloe Patterson (as Rachel Fox)
Jane Alexander	...	Dr. Greeley
Brian Murray	...	Dr. Medlin
Bernadette Quigley	...	Heather Keeler
Sarah Gadon	...	Cindi
Gregory Smith	...	Artie
Mark Wilson	...	Capt. Conklin
David Huband	...	Officer Nelson

Storyline

Some say that all houses have memories. For one man, his home is the place he would kill to forget. A family unknowingly moves into a home where several grisly murders were committed...only to find themselves the killer's next target. Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a job in New York City to relocate his wife, Libby (Weisz), and two girls to a quaint New England town. But as they settle into their new life, they discover their perfect home was the murder scene of a mother and her children. And the entire city believes it was at the hands of the husband who survived. When Will investigates the tragedy, his only lead comes from Ann Paterson (Watts), a neighbor who was close to the family that died. As Will and Ann piece together the disturbing puzzle, they discover that the story of the last man to leave Will's dream house will be just as horrifying to the one who came next.

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Plot Keywords:

amnesia | immolation | house fire | extension ladder | last day on job | 

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Taglines:

Once upon a time, there were two little girls who lived in a house.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, terror, some sexuality and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Detrás de las paredes

Filming Locations:

Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$8,129,355 (USA) (30 September 2011)

Gross:

$21,283,440 (USA) (11 November 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cliffjack Motion Pictures, Morgan Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Jim Sheridan fought with Morgan Creek's head Jim Robinson continuously on the set over the shape of the script and the production of the movie. After Sheridan re-shot some scenes because they did not go down well with test audiences, Morgan Creek took away the film from Sheridan's hands to re-cut it themselves. As a result, they created the trailer which many felt gave away too many of the movie's secrets. As a result, Sheridan, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz refused to promote the film to the press.

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Goofs

In the diner where Will is asking the police officers about the murders, the front shot of the officers is flipped as indicated by the text on the menu in the background as well as the seating of the officers switching between shots. That's because it's being seen through the mirror behind the counter at the diner.

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Quotes

Will Atenton: Once upon a time, there were two little girls who lived in a house.

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Connections

Referenced in Estrenos Críticos: La Ninfa de MELANCOLÍA (2011)

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Soundtracks

"You're Still With Me"
Written by Rachael Lawrence and Deborah Ellen
Performed by 'Mavis Campbell'

User Reviews

Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz have a great chemistry together, too bad they wasted their efforts on this movie.

Generic and predicable thriller made somewhat bearable by the undeniable chemistry and acting chops between Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, even though both actors involved deserved better than what they were giving with the material. Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz work very well together on screen ( and supposedly in real life as well) but they should have waited for a better film to showcase their chemistry and acting chops then this film, which not only does not respect their efforts in trying to bring humanity and credibility to a badly written script but does not even try to at least capitalize on their efforts in bringing more to the movie. Instead, the movie goes into several different unnecessary directions that goes no where and drags this film down. Naomi Watts is good as well but i just did not think much about her character and found her an unnecessary, forced inclusion to the story that ruins the film by making it even more predictable than it already is. The film also feels like it was two separate movies before it became one. Its a ghost story then it moves into a mystery with out it making much sense, not to mention the fact of how predicable the whole structure is. Let's just say that you have in fact seen this story before.

Its alright for what it is but it could have been much more, especially with two great actors (Weisz and Craig) having great acting chemistry on screen.