This is a good movie for those of us who enjoy a good, meaningful story. It is set in the 1980s and is mostly a character study of the four family members, dad, mom, a teenage daughter and a son that is just ten. Dad is British, he located the family in the US for his wife but now, in his 40s, is missing what he sees as the big business action in London. Mom has her own interests, rides and teaches riding, has a stable she rents space to others. The kids have normal lives and activities.
Dad lies to his wife, tells her his powerful former boss in London called and invited him to return. Mom is reluctant to pull up stakes, give up their ideal lifestyle, head to a big unknown. Dad leases a large, old estate that isn't comfortable for anyone.
At a social party some time later the big boss recalls how Dad had called him to see if he could return. That is when Mom first learned that her husband lied. As time passes more lies surface. It turns out the husband and wife were taking pretty much opposite approaches in dealing with others and issues. And then it turns out they are pretty much broke.
There is a very telling scene where Dad is taking a cab home and relates to the driver that at one time in the US he had a million dollars and thought he would have it forever. He began to think past hard work and kept looking for the financial windfall. During that period he spent lavishly with little regard for whether income would match it.
Jude Law is very good in this role, his character has to be completely broken before he accepts what he has caused for himself and his family and finally gets to the point where he has the chance to turn things around.
We watched this at home on DVD from our public library, my wife left after 30 minutes, she wasn't enjoying seeing the family turmoil.
