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Trailer here. (http://www.dreamworks.com/houseofsandandfog/)
Release Date: December 19th, 2003 (LA/NY); December 26th, 2003 (expands to 500-600 theaters in select cities)
Cast: Jennifer Connelly (Kathy Nicolo), Ben Kingsley (Colonel Massoud Amir Behrani), Ron Eldard (Deputy Lester Burdon), Shohreh Aghdashloo, Jonathan Ahdout, Kim Dickens, Andre Dubus III (cameo), Frances Fisher (Connie Walsh), Carlos Gomez
Director: Vadim Perelman (feature debut; he's been directing TV commercials since the early 1990s)
Screenwriter: Shawn Lawrence Otto (first draft); rewrite by Vadim Perelman (feature film debuts)
Premise: When her husband leaves her abruptly, an alcoholic woman, Kathy Nicolo (Connelly), unable to keep up with the paperwork finds her house in the hills of California seized in foreclosure by sheriff deputies (including one that she becomes romantically involved with, played by Eldard), and put up for public auction. It's quickly bought by an exiled Iranian air force colonel (Kingsley), who sees it as the dream home for his family now that they've become American citizens. Now, Nicolo is obsessed with getting the house back, regardless of what she has to do. Which side will win this tug-of-war over a place to call home?
for some reason, i just can't see myself caring about a house. im sure, though, that the acting will be amazing.
I really dislike this trailer. I'm hoping the movie is good, but a friend of mine who saw it said it's way too melodramatic.
Quote from: Ghostboybut a friend of mine who saw it said it's way too melodramatic.
That's probably accurate, since this looks like a ridiculous inflation of a 5-minute short.
the title ain't helping either. it sounds like one of those made up movies on seinfeld, like roushelle, roushelle... haha.
Ebert & Roeper really loved it. I looks like it'll be along the lines of "In the Bedroom". Which is a good thing.
I remember seeing this in the theatre and it was really cool and well done but when it ended I though: this shit is all about the fucking house? I really didnt understand that very well... but maybe its a good movie who knows...
Quote from: SydneyEbert & Roeper really loved it. I looks like it'll be along the lines of "In the Bedroom". Which is a good thing.
It's written by Andres Dubus II, the son of the guy who wrote In The Bedroom.
Now I'm definitely seeing this.
without watching the trailer/tool-of-the-devil, i just know this will be A GREAT ROLE FOR BEN KINGSLEY.
isn't this suppose to be like "Ransom"..but instead of a kid being taken away its a house??????
What the hell is with Jennifer Connely on a dock in like every movie she makes :?:
I thought the same thing. Ever since Requiem, she's at the end of a dock with her hair blowing. I guess she just looks good that way.
She likely has it in her contract that she MUST be on a dock at least once in a film. "I look good on a dock. So put me on a dock."
it's like john cusack in the rain.
or Tom Cruise with a mask
:lol: Yes..
you guys are insano.
Today was depression day for me. I saw three really good films. 21 grams, elephant and this.
As he's done several times before, Sir Ben blew me away. Connely is amazing as well (not to mention the most beautiful creature on the planet). I really admired the film for it's refusal to take sides. I sympathised for both of the protagonists almost equally (with the slight edge going to Kingsly's character). It's rare and refreshing to find yourself rooting for two people in direct conflict wit eachother. The Deaken's cinematography was emaculate as usual and the first time director seemed to pull everything off effortlessly. My only complaint is the music. It was the only thing that struck me as over the top.
Quote from: nixToday was depression day for me. I saw three really good films. 21 grams, elephant and this.
Funny, I saw this, 21 Grams, Cold Mountain, and Big Fish all today with a friend, fun stuff, though really weighty material.
More people should see House of Sand and Fog, I'd like to discuss a lot of it. I was surprised at how engaged I got into, almost yelling at the screen, because at first I wanted to side with Connelly, but then the Iranians, and then I realized they're pulling a Do the Right Thing kind of ethical question, and I respect it more for that. The friend I saw it with is a Muslim, so that helped the viewing a little bit, made me take it more seriously and he helped confirm the realistic approach they take with cultural characterizations. Even though his character was really strange, Ron Eldard is a terrible fucking actor, he brought the film down every time he came on. I liked this movie though, I thought it might be a little manipulative, but it avoids it well. And it's Vadim Perelman's first movie, good damn debut.
Well, 21 grams is not playing anywhere near me......so I decided to go see this film as a second choice. I was not disappointed. I agree that Sir Ben blew me away with his performance, but the woman who played his wife was just as good. This was a heartbreaking film that caused me to think and observe little details. I also like how it made it very difficult to choose sides and figure out who was "right" and who was "wrong". Jennifer Connelly was really wonderful and played down her looks for this role (but still was gorgeous). Overall, this was a great peice of work and I will be thinking about it for a while.
I wanted to like this movie more, but I just wish the cop character would have been written out. The movie does a great job in setting up both characters and their flaws. And it makes a great case for both parties for the house. But then this "convenient" character of a police officer enters and the movie turns into his story. We learn about his life with his wife and children and his problems at home and so on. This all takes away from and lowers Connely's character and my sympathy for her, because I couldn't believe her character would be associated with him; he does everything for her when she should be going through this personal struggle on her own. I found myself siding the Iranian family more and more. The film's pacing was a bit slow too. However, as mentioned, Ben Kingsley gives a terrific performance.
I certainly hated the character of the cop, but I don't think he should've been written out. It seemed perfectly believable that Connely's character would latch on to someone like him. And in the end, he's the one who makes it a tragedy. Without him... well, there would be no film at all. I'm not saying, I'm even a big fan of the dude from drop dead fred's performance, but the character is necessary.
Quote from: nixWithout him... well, there would be no film at all.
Yes there would have. I'm sure his character was in the better and better written in the book, but he really seemed to be just a complete plot device that could have been written around.
Quote from: MacGuffinYes there would have. I'm sure his character was in the better and better written in the book, but he really seemed to be just a complete plot device that could have been written around.
I saw the cop as the character that kept the story moving. He kept the two sides from becoming a stale mate. Neither one of them was backing down, so the cop had to come in to keep things moving. I agree that the character should have been fleshed out better, but he was meant to be doing the wrong things for the right reasons. I think that they needed him in the story.
Quote from: GloriaHe kept the two sides from becoming a stale mate.
Where's the drama in doing that though?
Quote from: MacGuffinWhere's the drama in doing that though?
Otherwise, there would be a standstill, and no character would do anything to back down, you know? The story has to keep on moving and the cop became that transitional character. If it would have been left at a stale mate, wouldn't that have defeated the purpose of the movie? The drama would be there, with or without the cop, but the story wouldn't be the same without the cop.
Quote from: GloriaOtherwise, there would be a standstill, and no character would do anything to back down, you know?
The way the story is now, it didn't even allow for a stalemate (and the movie wouldn't have really stayed that). The Connelly character wasn't pushed as far as she would go for that house given the way her character was presented in the opening. Her character took a back seat to the cop. The only scene I felt she was alone and really lost was when she calls her brother, and that's the way she should have been all along. But even the scene in the driveway (being vague, but you know which one) after which Kingsley 'takes her in', it was because of the cop. She has given up because of and over him. Her feelings and priorities shifted.
Ben Kingsley gives one of the best performances of the year and he isn't being mentioned enough in this thread. In his performance, he conveys a cultural attitude many people suspect of Arab people who move to America: gratitude for its security, but feeling of superiority culturally. Magnificentally, in his portrayal of an Iranian colonel, he never succombs to changing his appearance. He is completetly authentic in transforming his body motions to the point it is never doubted that he is this man. He owns this role. Behind the performance and the achievement of insight into a culture, lies a terribly bad story that even when it gets goofy, can't bring down Kingsley's performance.
Quote from: The Gold TrumpetBen Kingsley gives one of the best performances of the year and he isn't being mentioned enough in this thread. In his performance, he conveys a cultural attitude many people suspect of Arab people who move to America: gratitude for its security, but feeling of superiority culturally. Magnificentally, in his portrayal of an Iranian colonel, he never succombs to changing his appearance. He is completetly authentic in transforming his body motions to the point it is never doubted that he is this man. He owns this role. Behind the performance and the achievement of insight into a culture, lies a terribly bad story that even when it gets goofy, can't bring down Kingsley's performance.
u know, for a minute there, i thought that was gonna be a good review.
DreamWorks Home Entertainment have just announced the powerful House of Sand and Fog for release on March 30th. The film, starring Jennifer Connely and Ben Kingsley, will come with an anamorphic transfer, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks, and a selection of subtitles. Bonus materials, unfortunately, haven't been announced yet.
I just saw this (after dragging my g/f to it) and enjoyed it. Ben Kingsley blew me away and I hope he wins the oscar, of the nominees his performance was by far the best. I still don't buy Jennifer Connely as that good of an actress. Every movie of her I see her in...do you know what I see? That's right, Jennifer Connely. She seems to have about 3 expressions (good ones, but still only 3) that she relies on.
Now the cop character...my main problem with him (besides his line deliveries) were the scenes when we left Massoud or Kathy's point of view and followed the cop to his house or to work. I think that really hurt the film. It is best being told from only two point of views. I do understand that much over a house, if any of you live in a house that means something, especially 2nd generation homes. Again, Kingsley was phenomenal.
EDIT: At one point I thought that perhaps the film takes place about 10 years ago. Reason is in the son's bedroom is a Super Nintendo poster and an old mac computer.
Further Details
Dreamworks have kindly sent over the disc specs for the release of House of Sand and Fog which stars Oscar winning actors Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly. The disc will be available to own from the 30th March this year, and should set you back somewhere in the region of $26.99. We hope to bring you some menu shots shortly, but for now though here is the disc specs:
-1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer
-English Dolby Digital 5.1 Track
-Audio Commentary with Director, Novelist & Actor Ben Kingsley
-Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary
-Behind the Scenes Featurette & Photo Gallery
-Audition Tape for Shohreh Aghdashloo (Naderah Behrani)
-English, French and Spanish subtitles
but seriously, the worst part of the film is when she approaches Kingsley's character and shouts "GIMME BACK MY HOUSE!"
damn that Gibson.
Quote from: new guybut seriously, the worst part of the film is when she approaches Kingsley's character and shouts "GIMME BACK MY HOUSE!"
damn that Gibson.
It's funny because the joke is already old. Congrats.
spoilers are in dis bitch
my impressions:
-the acting is solid all through out...even the cop IMO.....-its the most beautifully shot film in 2003..deakins is phucking incredible..reminded me of some of the thin red lines's gorgeous shots...especially the on ewhere the cop first speaks w/ kingsley and gives him a fake name and tries to coerce him into selling the house back or he will deport him.....after he leaves the house the shot of him walking through the fron tyard and the nightime fog and the trees..wonderful sh*t...also, the shot of the fog rolling from the hills downwrd.....gorgeous...
-i like sound of kingsley's wife ..she would make a great lounge singer....
-the music was great..i'm a sucker from some piano sh*t....
-after watching some making of sh*t on the dvd..i got a better understanding of the final act of the film....while watching the film it seemed way to over the top at times.....and overly dramatic, etc........BUT the director wanted ithe film to serves as a greek tragedy..so, now i understand its heavy handedness..and its very dark and depressing ending...
-my only gripe would be the "super nintendo" poster on the kids wall...bu tthat it.......
-lastly, people always mention connely and docks..sh*t, now its connely and bathtubs..this and requiem....creepy.......
those impressions sucked. neon mercury would have done a better job.
Quote from: Stefenthose impressions sucked. neon mercury would have done a better job.
:( .....
I was just funnin ya.
EDIT: Theere are semi spoilers abound.
So i saw this movie and it made me very very upset. The whole cop storyline pissed me off cause he falls in love with connely so easily, and then fucks everything up. I used to like ron eldard, now i hate him.
Quote from: StefenSo i saw this movie and it made me very very upset. The whole cop storyline pissed me off cause he falls in love with connely so easily, and then fucks everything up. I used to like ron eldard, now i hate him.
"Spoilers"....... ?
Quote from: CinephileQuote from: StefenSo i saw this movie and it made me very very upset. The whole cop storyline pissed me off cause he falls in love with connely so easily, and then fucks everything up. I used to like ron eldard, now i hate him.
"Spoilers"....... ?
I'm sorry :o(
I just watched this last night and I thought it was very good. You can tell that the same guy who wrote In the Bedroom would write this. Once it reaches the ending, it's very dark, distrubing and powerful.
Quote from: QuoyleYou can tell that the same guy who wrote In the Bedroom would write this.
But it's not the same guy.
Andre Dubus (father) wrote Killings on which In The Bedroom was based. Andre Dubus III (son) wrote the House Of Sand and Fog novel.
Quote from: MacGuffinQuote from: QuoyleYou can tell that the same guy who wrote In the Bedroom would write this.
But it's not the same guy.
Andre Dubus (father) wrote Killings on which In The Bedroom was based. Andre Dubus III (son) wrote the House Of Sand and Fog novel.
that doesn't make sense. wouldn't it be grandson???
i watched this movie and was completely blown away. when i was watching the movie, i was totally with it. thinking back on it, it really isn't THAT great, but still very powerful. ben kingsley really was great (much better than sean penn, imo). his performance brought me to tears, and the only other performance i can think of that ever did that was tom cruise's in magnolia.
i also did not like the cop character. there were scenes with him that i was just like - "why the fuck is this in the movie? this should have been cut out." pretty much every scene he was in w/o jennifer. and what asshole cop brags about planting drugs on a man on parole? wifebeater or no, the guy is on his first date and letting out some private shit (while also enabling jennifer to drink). Mickey Buntz... you're on my list...
i had originally planned on seeing this movie, and then with everything else that came out around this time it slipped away. (i also couldnt imagine saying the words "one for THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG please". way too rochelle rochelle for me, so taht was a turnoff). all the previews and clips i had seen really didnt get me excited enough to go see it.
HOWEVER i watched it tonite and really enjoyed it (as much as one can enjoy a film this sad.) agree with everyone else; great performances, (except for the cop who seemed unneccesariliy and awkwardly placed) and the third act cop/kidnapping etc seemed sort of forced but it didnt ruin the film for me. its funny because although i didnt think about it during the film, but afterwards did i realize the strong comparisons to int he bedrooom, which i didnt like, but i did like this.
it was sort of annoying how between almost every scene the director would cut to a landscape and then to the scene.
I can't believe how excellent Kingsley was. Every movement he made showed that he was this character, regal, erudite, proud. His wife did an amazing job too and should get credit.
This followed the formulaic Greek tragedy. Kingsley represents the rich king (Hamlet, Lear, Oedipus, Creon) and his name is humorously ironic too. Connely is the quiet wronged one (Cordelia, Antigone, Soothsayer, Romeo and Juliet).
Kingsley possessed too much hubris which was his downfall similar to Oedipus or King Lear, Connely was the pathos fighting with her heart for a cause as Antigone or Cordelia, and the cop was a third (lesser)character, like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who are erroneously led to action from one characters interpretation to help bring about the downfall of the main character, although I think he could have been written better.
"Tragedy stresses the vulnerability of human beings whose suffering is brought on by a combination of human and divine actions, but is generally undeserved with regard to its harshness."
I never thought I would see a modern interpretation of a greek tragedy but I think this is it.
I was kind of disappointed by this one. Great performances, no doubt about it. But the final act really felt kind of exagerated to me and kind of... well... lame. Mainly because I've never disliked any character as I disliked Lester. What a fucking idiot. I suppose we have to give Ron Eldard the credit for playing a jerk that greatly, but he's a fucking asshole. It could have been great, but it became just a regular movie.
Oh, and I just realized that Ron Eldard's birthday is the same as mine. February the 20th. He's got to be a great guy.