House of Sand and Fog

Rating:
Summary: beautiful tragedy
Review: A film by Vadim Perelman

In the preview for this movie we see Ben Kingsley say "Things are not as they appear", and this is a line that is both appropriate for the scene in which it is said, but it is also a perfect line to describe this movie. Things are not as they appear. The preview for "House of Sand and Fog" gives us what we need to know to go into the movie. We learn that Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) has been evicted from her house and that Behrani (Ben Kingsley) was able to buy it a very cheap rate because it was put up for auction by the city. We learn that Kathy's home should not have been put up for auction and that the city made a mistake. We learn that there is going to be something of a confrontation between Kathy and Behrani. That's all we need to know to set up the movie, but as Behrani said, "things are not as they appear."

The movie we see from the preview is simplistic. The cast is excellent, but we have no clue about the depth that this movie has in its performances and in the story itself. The preview suggests that Kingsley will be the bad guy, but the relationships are much more complex than that and when we learn more about Behrani and his situation and his family, it is impossible to view him as a villain, nor do I think he is intended to be so. The entire story centers around the house and the desire to own this house, Kathy for herself and her ties to her family, and Behrani for his own. Things are not as they appear.

Considering the fact that this is a film by a first time director, I was astounded by how good it is. I didn't have very strong expectations when I started watching it, but I was stunned by its power and heart and the tragedy implicit in "House of Sand and Fog". The movie also features a heartbreaking supporting performance by Shohreh Adghashloo as Behrani's wife Nadi.

I do not want to praise this movie too highly lest I raise expectations to a level that cannot be met. I would recommend this movie to anyone, and would say only to expect a good movie with excellent performances, and that this is a beautiful tragedy of a film.

Rating:
Summary: Up and Down
Review: Never have I seen such superb acting and cinematography combined with soch preposterious, sloppy plotting. All the principal actors are excellent; Kingsley is incredible. Unfortunately the story is rife with logical holes, character inconsistencies, situational improbabilities, and legal inaccuracies. What we are left with is acting earning three stars in a base and grotesque melodrama that is worth none.

Rating:
Summary: Sadness and Inspiration
Review: House of Sand and Fog is a remarkable film. It's beautifully filmed and scored, the cast is extremely strong, and the graceful, painfully real story makes for one of the most compelling movies I've seen in a very long time.

The central conflict revolves around the ownership of a very ordinary house. Purchased through 30 years of her father's labor, Jennifer Connelly is very good as the depressed, lost young women who loses possession of the family home through bureaucratic error and her own neglect. Ben Kingsley is phenominal as the head of a displaced Iranian-American family who then buys the house at auction.

What follows is a harrowing story of real people all trying to achieve some degree of fulfillment and security each seemingly at the others expense. We understand and empathize with both Connelly and Kingsley. At the same time, we are made painfully aware of the pulsing, deeply flawed humanity of each.

It's very rare to come across such a richly human, character driven film these days. House of Sand and Fog should have garnered much more attention at the Oscars. I'm a great admirer of Sean Penn. His performance in the much flashier Mystic River is tremendous. But Kingsley's reserved, taut, understated performance here might very well be the greater accomplishment.

The Iranian actress playing Kingsley's wife is exquisite. The young man playing their son is perfectly cast. Ron Eldred, a quirky, appealing actor, completes the central cast as the insecure, confused deputy sherrif. A fear driven, self-centered, weak man, he becomes the catalyst that drives the conflict into the realm of tragedy. The plausibility of such a character in the real world is the most chilling aspect of the film.

I really can't say enough about this movie. Yes, it is one of the saddest films I've ever seen. But oddly enough, the end result for me wasn't depression or feelings of futility. Rather, it left me with a pointed appreciation of the fragility and variety of human life, the importance of such overlooked concepts as faith and love, and the precious beauty of the world around us.

Rating:
Summary: Good acting, yet not as moving as I would have thought
Review: I have mixed feelings about this film. On the positive side, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ben Kingsley and Shohreh Aghdashloo's performances (esp Kingsley's, as I am a long-time fan). Jennifer Connelly was good to a point, although I felt her performance wasn't as complex as Kingsley's. Oddly enough, though, I never felt as moved as the filmmaker obviously intended (both from his commentary and the way he directed his scenes). Even a scene where Kingsley is confronted with a great tragedy left me feeling somewhat removed and distant, which surprised me (especially as I am one to often be involved emotionally with a good film). Overall the film is certainly worth seeing and pondering. From what I understand the book has some significant differences from the film, so those who have read the book already should be aware of this (I doubt it comes as a surprise).

One comment on an earlier review by a user: the user had wondered why Kingsley was shown looking at various posters displaying Soviet-style revolutionary propaganda while he sat in the Legal Aid lawyer's office. The user wasn't sure why this was done. If one listens to the commentary on the DVD the question is answered: Perlman, the director, wanted to contrast those who talk about revolution and throw its iconography about (especially the politically left-wing lawyer he depicts) without having any real idea of just how devastating and horrible such an event can really be, versus Kingsley's character who has been through a revolution and knows its tragic realities. Once I knew what Perlman was striving for in the scene, I enjoyed it a good deal. The director originally intended to have a flashback to the Iranian revolution during this scene, but then didn't include it.

Rating:
Summary: WHAT THE *&%# WAS THAT?
Review: Good performances and cinematography (although, not hard to make the pacific coast look enchanting) were completely wasted on this film. The characters' plights are completely unsympathetic even when you like them for other traits, as they continue to take every opportunity to screw up and make the situation worse for themselves in the most depressing and frustrating film I have ever seen. Who wants to go to a movie just to get frustrated that you can't smack the lead characters for being that retarded? That's the only emotion I get out of this film.

And the plausibility is killed by the fact that you can't see a cop ever getting that berserk that fast, you can't believe that with all the contact this woman and the family have that the reasons for their actions might get revealed before all hell breaks loose, and above all, you can't imagine this woman's mother not calling and wondering why there's suddenly an Iranian family at the other end of the line (she IS arriving in two weeks...)

By the time I was done the one I had the most sympathy for was that Iranian table that kept getting knocked over, and the only message I could get out of this lousy film was "open your mail." If you want real, moving, sympathetic tragedy, go watch Hamlet. At least he opens his mail - heck he even opens his friends' mail.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: I could go on and on about movies I watch so I'll try to keep my comments as succinct as possible. A summary isn't necessary unless you're the 1st or 2nd person to review something so I'll get right to the important parts.The book is very good and the film is quite good also. Kingsley is heartbreaking and irritating at the same time. It's a testament to someone's acting if they can make you want to help them and punch them in the nose simultaneously. Connelly, although equally good in lighter fare, has a real gift for portraying these serious and intense women who find themselves in sometimes harrowing circumstances. The woman is also stupendously beautiful, even in the scenes where her character is exhausted, nervous and ill-kempt. Her innate grace as a performer and physical beauty flesh out the character beyond what could have been cliche. It's fantastic to see Connelly as a housecleaner in cutoffs and an old sweater vacuuming some little brat's living room. Yes folks, even blue collar workers can be attractive. Hollywood usually has us believe the opposite, saving these roles for unconventional character actresses. Eldard is a subtle actor who appears as if he could kiss someone and knock out the person next to them in the same second. This warm/cold duality works well for his character. The film as a whole does drag at points and the editing could definitely have been a little more vigorous. Good direction, great cinematography, and a good story. (I wish Connelly had been on the commentary with Kingsley and Perelman, although she does have some interesting scenes on the deleted scenes menu- one where she gest intoxicated in a mexican restaurant is truly fantastic). However, do NOT watch this if you are in a happy or looking to be happy mood. Without any spoilers, this is a very heavy and dense film that can really seep you down along with it. It is truly a downer.

Rating:
Summary: Not Impressed
Review: I will be brief.
Northern CA. is beautiful and not hard to film and make look good.
Jennifer Connelly is an ok actress and plays a horribly irresponsible adult who destroys everything ever given to her.
Ben Kingsley....best actor....that's a stretch....I mean Kingsley is a great actor...hands down. He is the only thing worth watching in this movie.

The message is horrible....the story is horrible....
Why are we as a nation obsessed with the horror stories of life. How about if they just went to the county and discussed the mistake and got it righted and everyone was happy and Connelly learned to open mail.
All's well that ends well.
this did not start well....it did not end well. i never see much point in perpetuating the horrors of stupid people.
Wake up folks.....this is not Oscar worthy. its not even rental worthy unless you like depression.

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: I have seen this movie twice, each time I am saddened by final choices each character is forced to make, and the film's final outcome. The only villain is a man trapped in a loveless marriage who finally escapes by making a fool hearted choice to help a woman that results in a teenager's death and the destruction of his family. Your heart pours out for the woman when she looses the house her father spent 35 years paying for due to a tax error; it's amazing that she goes from being a homeowner to homeless in one week. You understand why the Colonel can not give the house back, and how it help him regain the dignity and honor he has loss due to circumstances and having to put up a good front for his Iranian countrymen.

Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Conley give flawless performances worthy of an Oscar consideration.

Rating:
Summary: Much more than just disturbing
Review: I just watched this movie today on DVD and it left me feeling quite stunned. I really didn't know what to expect when my Sister-In-Law told me a few days before that she was so depressed after watching this and couldn't get it out of her mind! Well, all I can say is that yes, it was pretty disturbing, however it was worth watching. I kept wondering just where this movie was taking me, until the "ending", where after the credits ran, I just sat there in total disbelief. This isn't the type of movie to entertain you, but however it has a lot to say about how people interact with each other, and how you watch everything fall apart for each one. Be forewarned to not watch this movie if you are in a good mood, or want to be entertained!

Rating:
Summary: The most important part of a story is the ending!
Review: House of Fog and Sand is absolutely breath-taking! Just when I thought Jennifer Connelly's best role was A Beautiful Mind, she astonishes me again! The ending of this beautiful movie is awesome, or as to quote Clay Smith of Access Hollywood, "A surprise ending that will leave you breathless!" I wouldn't trade this movie for anything.