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

Colour:

Colour

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 writer, Mark Andrus, is a fan of the band Guster, and named the dog after the band and two of the characters (Ryan & Adam) after two of the band members. Two of Guster's songs are featured in the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: When nurse #1 strokes Georges cheek, she reaches out with her left hand to do so. The shot over her shoulder shows her stroking his cheek with her right.

Quotes:

George: I'm having a problem with cancer
Sam: I don't know what that means. What kind of a problem?
George: The kind where there is no answer
Sam: I still don't know what that means

Movie Connections:

Featured in From the Ground Up (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

Somewhere

One of the most touching, heartfelt films that I've seen.

Life as a House (2001) is one of the most touching, heartfelt films that I've seen. This movie made me laugh, cry, and appreciate life more. And let me tell you, never before has a movie made me re-evaluate my life. Sadly, Life as a House is overlooked and underrated by most people. The story is this:

George Monroe (Kevin Kline) is an unhappy architect who's life is unfulfilled. His ex-wife Robin (Kristin Scott Thomas) has married another man and has a family of her own. George's son Sam (Hayden Christensen) hates his parents and just wants to be alone. One day George is fired from his job of 20 years. Understandably, he's not happy about this and he destroys all of the models that he's created. He takes one undamaged one and leaves, only to have health problems and collapse outside. While at the hospital, George is told that he has cancer and is expected to live for another four months or so. George, having a new outlook on life, wants to spend the summer with Sam and fulfill George's dream: to build a house together. Sam has problems of his own, though: he is constantly pressured to be a prostitute by Josh (Ian Somerhalder), he does drugs, he is anti-social, and he is emotionally cut off from just about everybody. Sam, instead of spending the summer with his father, wants to spend the summer with his friend and get wasted. But George is determined to complete his dream and practically forces Sam to go with him. Sam hates spending time with his father, especially since they live in a shack adjacent to their future house. But while there Sam meets neighbor Colleen (Mary Steenburgen) and her daughter Alyssa (Jena Malone), which prompts him to stay. Meanwhile, George has not told anyone that he is going to die in four months, not even Sam or Robin. For the next couple of months, George attempts to bond with his estranged son and finally complete his dream house.

The acting is rich and down-to-earth. The characters are realistically portrayed and could be anybody in real life. Kevin Kline's performance is unfortunately overlooked. Kline gives his character his all and most importantly sympathy. The rest of the diverse cast are great, with Hayden Christensen portraying Sam with honesty and realism.

The writing and directing are extraordinary. Mark Andrus and Irwin Winkler are great in their respective jobs. Everything about this movie is absolutely perfect and emotional.

If you liked American Beauty, chances are that you'll like Life as a House. That also works the other way around. It's not often that you have the chance to see a film this good, so take advantage of it. I give Life as a House (2001) a 10 out of 10.