Rating: 
Summary: A Beauty
Review: Life as a House is not the most original movie you'll ever see, but for what it is, it's wonderful. George, Kevin Klein's character, is living a miserable life when the movie begins. He is divorced from his ex-wife who he still loves; estranged from his 16 year-old son, who is unhappy and using drugs; and hates his home, a shack on a beautiful cliff in Malibu. Then one day George visits his ex-wife, who asks him to take their son, Sam, for the summer; loses his job; and finds out he has only a few months to live. George decides to tear down the shack, which his dad willed to him and he hates, and build a house he'll be proud to give his son. He tells his ex he'll take Sam for the summer, so that they can help each other, and tells no one of his cancer. The scenery and cinematography in this movie alone make it worth seeing. There are breathtaking scenes from the cliff in Malibu, as well as from the ex-wife's back yard; and that's where most of the movie takes place. The story may not be a new one, but it is beautiful. There are some seemingly unnecessary sub-plots I could've done without, and some of the characters needed more dept or explaining, but the main characters feel like people you've known for years. The movie is a little over 2 hours, but does not drag throughout, a big feat considering it's a drama, and doesn't try to be anything more. This movie won't challenge you, but would be nice for a quite evening out; it needs to be seen on a big screen. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Foundations Of Life
Review: Architect George Monroe (Kevin Kline) is told that he has a terminal form of cancer and is given only a few months to live. Determined to use what little time he has left wisely, he tries to reconnect with his ex wife, Robin Kimball (Kristen Scott Thomas). An even harder task for George, is to mend his troubled relationship between him, and his wayward son, Sam (Hayden Christensen-pre Star Wars). This family drama is written by Mark Andrus and the end result is a mixed effort. The script is somewhat over-written, often going for an over emotional reaction, rather than anything subtle. Fortunately, the cast overcomes this flaw, by giving solid performances. Kline, Scott Thomas, and Christensen (yes, he can really act, despite his wooden portrayal in Episode II) Obvious comparisons to other movies like this is unavoidable. All I can say to that point is that this film falls somewhere in the middle of all of those. As an aside, if you like family dramas like this, you should check out the underrated film DAD, with Jack Lemmon and Ted Danson as a better film in the genre. Getting back to LIFE AS A HOUSE, directed by Irwin Winkler, the film, despite its script problems, is better than I had heard or thought it would be.The "Platinum Series" DVD has 3 documentaries/featurettes that are pretty standard. The commentary track can be dry at times but has its moments as well. It also includes a handfull of deleted scenes with optional commentary, the theatrical press kit, and trailer. Lastty, there is also some DVD-ROM content, for those folks with the proper access. The end result is a good disc that I can recommend, even with certain reservations, give LIFE a try.
Rating:
Summary: good movie
Review: this overall was a very good movie. hayden christensen was excellent in it, as was kevin kline. i would have given it the full 5 stars, but some parts were a bit melodramatic. besides that, this movie was both funny and sad, put together with a great cast to produce a very good movie. i would probably give it 4 1/2 stars but thats not really an option.
Rating:
Summary: Life is a house, not American Beauty
Review: First of all, Life As A House is pretty much like American Beauty, only better. Hayden, from Star Wars 2, portrays the teenager in a very dysfunctional family, while Kevin Kline plays his father. Like American Beauty, it seems like the whole block is dysfunctional, and they pretty much are. Yet, when Kevin Kline is diagnosed with cancer he decides to build the house he has always dreamed of, and in doing so try to reconnect with his son. I personally feel that although this is a very typical picture of teen angst and family dysfunction it is shown in a fresh new way, and one that actually connects with the audience.
Rating:
Summary: Good. but flawed
Review: The latest Kevin Kline vehicle, Life as a House is further proof that Kline is one of greatest and most under appreciated actor of our times. Kline plays George, who has cancer and lives alone in a dilapidated old shack that his late father left him. When he loses his job, he takes custody of his sixteen year old son, Sam. George wants to repair his relationship with his son before it is too late. Sam is an extremely troubled young man. He does drugs, he listens to Marilyn Manson, he has blue hair and numerous piercings, and most dangerously, he's taken to temporarily hanging himself from his closet bar to get a rush. His mother, Robin is unable to reach him. She's got her own problems dealing with her faltering marriage to Peter. Sounds like a soap opera, doesn't it? And a rather lame one, at that. But in the hands of these able actors, it isn't. Kline is especially effective as George. He is equally adept at playing both the movie's dramatic and comic moments. In the hands of a lesser actor, the revelation of George's abusive childhood would have seem trite and clichéd. Kline finds the truth in the moment. He shows that George gets that he can't erase his past, or suddenly have a picture perfect Hallmark card relationship with Sam. He just wants to somehow try to connect with his kid, and help him. He sees that Sam is as angry with him as he was at his own dad; that he is sinking under the weight of his own anger and pain, and he wants to somehow break the cycle. George doesn't reveal his illness to Robin and Sam until near the end of the movie. This fact could either make George appear like a martyr or a bastard. As Kline plays him, he is neither - he is simply a human being. Kline and Christensen (and to a lesser extent, Kristen are the heart, soul and center of this movie, and the two deliver. They have a palpable chemistry and play a believable father and son Hayden Christensen is a revelation. I admit, he was a bit awkward and shouted too much in some of his angry scenes, but he made it work for the character. I empathized with Sam. I wanted to know more about him and where is anger came from. This type of character is often a cliché (and, admittedly, he was, to an extent), but Christensen managed to rise above it. He gave Sam an awkwardness, a sadness in his eyes, that made him seem vulnerable and real. I especially like that although Sam admits he loves his father, the ambivalence and anger never completely fades. Christensen and Kline bring a real depth to this relationship. The rest of the cast was equally good although many of their roles were quite small - this movie was about Sam and George, and Robin, to a lesser extent. I was disappointed that Scott Thomas's role was so underwritten; she's a brilliant actress. She did a beautiful job in the scenes where George reveals his illness, and when he dies. She and Kline have a nice chemistry. I have to talk about the flaws in this movie. I have to admit, it is riddled with clichés. I hated that Robin fell back in love with George - a deeper understanding and a friendship would've been better. The characters needed more depth. There were also too many subplots in the movie. In the end, everyone comes together to help George and Sam finish the house he's building, and I'm never quite sure why. In moments like that the movie seems to be trying to be like the movie American Beauty, and that doesn't work. Those are the moments that are especially soap opera-like. The movie needed to stay focused on the George and his relationships. In the end, I would still recommend this movie, although maybe only on video or on cheap night. The sheer quality of the acting, the gorgeous ocean cinematography, and the soundtrack make it worthwhile, despite the plodding pace and clichés in the writing.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best I've seen in a while
Review: When Life as a House came out in theaters, I was less than anxious to run out and watch it. So I didn't. It's terrible, but I had no intention of ever seeing, even forgot about it's existance, until Hayden Christensen portrayed the energtic and troubled Anakin Skywalker in George Lucas's newest film. Then I simply couldn't wait to see more of his work, and was reminded of LaaH. It blew me away. Without a doubt this movie is on my top ten favorites. Kevin Kline delivers nothing less than you would expect, and a little more. Jena Malone was wonderful, and more outgoing and crazy than the character she portrayed in Stepmom. Kristin Scott Smith is always delightful, and I found it hard to believe that this was Hayden's first big picture. I recommend this for anyone who is looking for an incredible movie experience.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films I have ever seen...
Review: George Monroe ( Kevin Kline) is a house designer who lives on his own. His ex-wife Robin ( Kristin Scott Thomas)remarried years ago, and took primary custody over their son Sam ( Hayden Christian). George has been told by his doctor that he is dying of cancer, and that he has three months left to live. This time period also happen to coincide with Sam's summer vacation. George wants to spend the last three months of his life, forming a relationship with his son, who he has barely spoken to in the last 13 years. George feels the best way for him to bond with Sam, is for them to build a house together, that Sam can live in after George has passed on. Life as a House is one of the best films that I have ever seen. The film features an emotional story of a father and son getting to know each other, and eventually coming to love each other. Director Irvin Winkler and writer Mark Andrus came up with the perfect way for this to happen. Watching George and Sam work together on the house is great. The film also features a wonderful romantic element as well, because George and Robin manage to fall back in love after being seperated for so long. This film is definately a tear jerker as well. I never cry when I watch movies, and this film even had me bawling my eyes out. Kevin Kline should have been nominated for an oscar for his role in this film. I feel that it is the best of his career. He accurately portrayed a man who is gradualy dying and who is estranged from his son. Hayden Christian and Kristin Scott Thomas did a wonderful job as well. The film also features other great actors such as Jena Malone, Mary Steenburgen, and Scott Bakula. Overall, Life as a House is an amazing film. The actors involved could not have done a better job, and the story involves an emotional father/son relationship. The DVD features two original documentaries and deleted scenes. A solid 5 stars...
Rating:
Summary: Life is a beach...
Review: I got this movie mostly as part of my Jena Malone phase, and it had some good reviews. The story itself - a dying man trying to reconnect with friends and family - is bittersweet, and I think it is one you will either love or hate. Most of the movie works pretty well, but I can not take anything serious from a character (the son) who has a Marilyn Manson poster in his room, or wears makeup and has piercings. I suppose that allows me to sympathize with the father. The movie has a beautiful location - a southern California beachside cliff, and the photography is excellent throughout. I did not much care for the music or score, however. The acting is pretty good in general. Overall the movie is good, with a few great moments, and a few melodramatic ones. The DVD has some nice extras, and pulls the overall rating from 3.5 for the movie up slighty to 4 stars overall.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Cancer Movie Ever
Review: When I first heard of this movie I thought that it was going to be really stupid but when I saw it I realized how wrong I was. The story is that George had his life going down at an alarming rate his son Sam hated him, his wife had just divorced him and remarried, he just lost his job, and now only has a month. He has decided that he is going to spend this month tearing down his house and building his dream house alongside his son. His son does not want to do this but his father just says that this may as well be the worst summer of his life but he has earned it. But during this summer can Sam learn to forgive his father and learn to be his son again before it is to late. I would recommend this to mature audiences because there is a lot of language and some suggestive content that children should not watch. I hope that this review has helped you in making a decision about this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Discover Hayden Christensen
Review: This film is not perfect. It gets a little soft and mushy in some areas. But for those who can look beyond, it has two great things going for it ... namely Kevin Kline and Hayden Christensen. For those of you who are just now beginning to notice Mr. Christensen - for his work in SHATTERED GLASS - take a look here. While SHATTERED GLASS is a great performance, in this earlier pre-STAR WARS performance, Mr. Christensen is called upon to go toe-to-toe with the great Kevin Kline. Not many young actors could do this as well as he does here. Mr. Kline gives it his all (as is his usual modus operandi) and thereby forces Mr. Christensen to do the same. The result is two great performances in a film that ultimately lets them down by taking the obvious pull-at-your-heartstrings way out. Unfortunate.
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