Rating: 
Summary: A rare instance when a movie adaptation surpasses the book
Review: I remember reading Andre Dubus' "House Of Sand And Fog" a couple of years ago. While not among the best books I've ever read, I did find it to be an interesting and worthwhile read that stuck with me long after I finished the last page. And when I heard that it was becoming a movie adaptation my interest in the story was immediately renewed. Today I went to see it and can say without reservation that this is one of the very rare instances when a film version surpasses the novel. Ben Kingsley gives yet another superb performance in his role as Colonel Behrani. Equally as convincing is Jennifer Connelly who plays Kathy Nicolo, the desperate and determined woman who will stop at nothing to claim her house back which Behrani has purchased at auction price because she neglected to pay her taxes on it. Both Kingsley and Connelly are simply excellent in their roles. Ron Eldard plays Sheriff Lester Burdon, a cop who is unhappily married and starts an affair with Kathy, taking her under his wing and promising to get her house back. I found Eldard's performance to be a little wooden at times but for the most part he pulled it off well. The same amount of praise also goes to director Vadim Perelman and the rest of the crew who worked behind the scenes to give "House Of Sand And Fog" the perfect atmosphere and setting. The house used in the movie was EXACTLY how I had envisioned it as I read the book. It should also be noted that this movie adaptation remains very faithful to the book with the exception of the ending which was a little different. For example, those of you who have read the book will notice that Behrani doesn't try to strangle Kathy in this movie version. There are other minor differences, especially during the final minutes, but to reveal them would give away the ending for those not familiar with the story. To sum up, "House Of Sand And Fog" is definitely one of the better movies to come out this year that offers both a good story and great acting. Don't expect a happy ending because there is none; this story is about tragic people making tragic decisions. But it's an engaging plot nonetheless. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: House of Sand and Fog = Life As a House
Review: Pros: Kingsley, Connelly, Aghdashloo, the cinematography, there is no right and wrong sides, just good people doing wrong things, the script, the mood, strong acting, beautiful filming. Cons: The plot is too tied to thriller contrivances; maybe too dark for many people, the plot borders on the implausible at times, a few weak characters, maybe a little to depressing. The story is about a woman who wrongly loses her home over unpaid taxes that she didn't owe in the first place. It is purchased at auction by a former Colonel with the Shah of Iran. You feel empathy for both characters with the focus changing from time to time. I highly recommend seeing this film. Look for a small bug crawling up Ben Kingsley's neck during one conversation in his car. I've also never seen such a perfect bowl of red apples, not a blemish on one. You won't learn a lot about the Iranian culture, other than their taste in household furnishings is a bit on the garish side, but you will understand their predicament.
Rating:
Summary: Ben Kingsley Sears the Screen in "House of Sand and Fog"
Review: When previews for "House of Sand and Fog" began airing in theatres two months ago, I evinced little interest. I had not read the novel by Andre Dubus, nor was I particularly moved by (or indifferent to) the plight of Colonel Behrani, magnificently portrayed here by Ben Kingsley. Like many forty-somethings for whom the idealism of the 1960s has been partially supplanted by harsh reality, I was hardened by my own fears and suspicions as the film's opening scenes rolled across the screen. It didn't take long for the deposed Colonel to validate those perceptions. As the erstwhile officer to the Shah of Iran whose life was destroyed by political upheaval, Behrani is now residing in the U.S., forced to toil in a series of dead-end jobs to make ends meet. When he leaps at the chance to purchase a repossessed house from the grasp of a recovering alcoholic (played with great skill by Jennifer Connolly), one feels sympathy. He isn't aware that the house was wrongfully seized through bureaucratic error. On the surface, Behrani seems to be a proud and dignified man whose profound desire to restore honor and prosperity to his family is a noble aspiration. However...... It doesn't take long for the overweening patriarchy typical of so many middle eastern cultures to rear its ugly cranium. When the devoted husband screeches at his wife to "shut her lips" after having the temerity to question his dictates, my flesh curdled. When the displaced Colonel coldly dismisses the rightful homeowner's attorney (played ably by Frances Fisher), I felt vindication when the legal eagle proudly informed Behrani that she indeed WAS the attorney - and this was HER office. (The concept of professional women is evidently anathema to the beleagured Behrani.) Slightly more than halfway through the film, when Behrani corrupts an otherwise tender scene with his son via an anti-American discourse that validated my own worst fears, my heart became colder than a thousand icebergs (including the one that sank the Titanic). Again and again, as the film hurdled to its defining tragedy, I said to myself, "I don't care what happens to this character." I didn't wish impending doom upon Behrani, yet I was indifferent to his fate. Until one cataclysmic scene that tore the screen (and my hardened heart) wide open. Only an actor of superior skill and instinct could do what Kingsley does here: in the film's closing scenes, the Oscar-winning thespian blows away the cultural differences and life experiences that divide us. The audience (including myself) was rent asunder. Kingsley is that good. Yes, this is a film about human weakness and folly - and the price these deficits enact. (Ron Eldard, portraying a rogue cop who drifts into an affair with Connolly's character, demonstrates this ably. His disastrous attempts to "help" Connolly consist, essentially, of holding a mirror to her face and entrapping her in her own vanity.......and ennui.) The errant policeman (and others like him) also prove that cultural elitism isn't confined to Behrani. Disrespect for human life pollutes all societies, and is the seed of self-destruction. I shall always remember "House of Sand and Fog" for Kingsley's vivid portrayal...and for one defining, heart-rendering scene that engulfed my soul when I no longer believed it to be possible. That, in my view, is one of the marks of cinematic excellence.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling, Jennifer Connelly at her best!
Review: After viewing the preview clips on the movie's webpage I wondered about this one. But, much to my surprise, this movie was incredible! I was on the edge of my seat, nobody in the theater made a sound the entire movie.Jennifer Connelly & Ben Kingsley offer an unparaleled performance in this chilling, chocked full of surprises thriller! I'd definitely see it again! One of the best of the past 2 years! A definite 5 star!!!
Rating:
Summary: Kingsley should win another Oscar!
Review: Ben Kingsley is sure to win his second Oscar for his portrayal of Behrani, an ex-colonel who is the patriarch of his Iranian-American family. Although a senior citizen, he works full-time at two jobs to save enough money to buy a home, which in time he will sell to move into another home and live off the profit. The house in querstion has just been seized and auctioned off from a woman named Cathy, who inherited it from her late father. Cathy had a dispute with the county over a business tax she did not owe, and she loses the house over this technicality. She is falling apart otherwise as well --- she lies to her mother that she and her long-gone husband are still married, she is broke, and so depressed that she cannot keep up with the mail or throwing out the trash -- although she cleans other people's homes for a living. She manages to meet the married Officer Les Burden (an appropriate name) with whom she starts a pseudo-romance. However, he has even less of a grip on reality than she does. They target the Behrani family, determined to reclaim Cathy's house through any means necessary. From there, the battle of wills spirals downwards into an unimaginable tragedy. It only gets worse when the Behrani family is nice to Cathy. This movie is very emotionally charged. Usually, I'll see a movie and think "that's sad" and cry a bit in the theater. I cried for THREE DAYS afterwards whenever I thought of certain scenes in this movie brought to life by Kingley's powerful performance. Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jonathan Ahdout as his wife and son are also wonderful performers as they portray a family trapped by vicious people who want to harm them.
Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking movie
Review: This was a remarkable movie, especially considering it's a directorial debut. We are shown how every decision has a consequence, as we delve into the lives of the different characters. The movie shows how far we are willing to go when pushed far enough. I left the theater contemplating what I would do in similar circumstances.
Rating:
Summary: The Movie Has a High Standard To Meet
Review: The story is about as well-crafted as they come. It is a story of those who seeking some center fulcrum despite the diverse forces that have infused their lives with alienation. Centered on two protagonists: a recovering alcoholic and addict anglo-American woman and a Persian immigrant father. Both struggle to own the same house that symbolizes the rootedness needed to satiate their inner demons. Mr. Dubus is to be congratulated on his mastery of character development. His use of alternating first person narrative creates dual sympathies for both main characters. He also did an amazing job with the dialect and cultural insights of the Persian immigrant community in California.
Rating:
Summary: Superb Film
Review: "House of Sand And Fog" is a very compelling movie released in 2003, starring Oscar winners Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley. The plot is wonderfully adapted from the book version of the same name. It brilliantly combines two lives that later meet: a woman who's life is tumbling downward after having been evicted from her house and an Iranian family who buys that house only as an investment. The emotional impact is never held back for a moment, which continually builds as the struggles become more intense. Later, it becomes more than a film about a woman trying to move back into her house. Its unique chain of events keep audiences awaiting for what happens next. The Oscar-nominated original score wonderfully accompanies the scenery. Ben Kingsley and Shohreh Aghdashloo give wonderful Oscar nominated performances (Best Actor/ Best Supporting Actress). Their characters' passions and hardtimes are expressed beautifully. Kingsley proves that he's continually evolved as an actor through his entire career. Jennifer Connelly gives a heartpounding performance, especially through her character's life threatening struggles. All other actors also offer captivating performance. "House of Sand And Fog" is a powerful film that will continue to attract audiences. This offers an unforgettable viewing experience for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: an interesting movie
Review: this movie was very interesting and it makes you feel bad for the Iranian family who worked hard and di nothing wrong only to have their lives ruined by a woman to depressed to open the male and her crazy cop boyfriend. A lot of people feel sorry for the woman but I can't see how this movie can really allow them to feel bad for her all of her downfalls were due to her actions and she continues to make mistakes not caring who they may hurt. This story does really make you feel bad for the stories true heros the Iranian family
Rating: 
Summary: bit slow and unlikely twist at end
Review: pretty good film up to the end, then it takes a very improbable turn. (spoiler warning!) i realize that the story was meant to have a tragic ending, but i find it very hard to believe the son would really pull the gun on the cop. they should have tried to find a different (and more believable) ending. otherwise, not bad, though a little slow. well acted.
| 
