Truly Dreadful Film

Thanks for the memories!

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

House of Sand and Fog is a tragedy if ever there was one. The story is tight and the acting is superb. It stars Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley. It's described as a Crime Drama here on IMDB and that is misleading. This is a tragedy. Although there are crimes committed, by the Cop played by Ron Eldard, as he pursues a romantic relationship with the excellent Jennifer Connelly, falling for her considerable charms, it's not an accurate idea for describing this movie.Why we don't see more of Connelly in leading roles on the silver screen must have to do with her not kissing the right Hollywood arses and certainly not for a lack of talent or looks, as she possesses both in ample amounts. A recurring theme in Hollywood, particularly with talented actresses. As Marilyn Monroe once said, "Hollywood is a town where they'll give you a million bucks for a kiss and 50 cents for your soul." Smart lady. Kingsley is perfect in his portrayal of an Iranian immigrant moving his way up the social economic ladder in this land of promise. He comes by a house on auction that was illegally taken from Connelly's character. She has been wronged, but not by Kingsley's character as many would have you believe in their reviews of this disturbing film. The wrangling over this house destroys everyone involved, although the ending of the book, by Andre Dubus III, has a slightly different conclusion, with Connelly's character in prison. In the movie, it's not really clear what becomes of her but she is homeless and alone with no visible means of support just after two very convincing suicide attempts prior to the end of the story. This is a hard film to watch and it will haunt you for days after you finish it.

This is a tragedy of such scope that all the main characters either die, are imprisoned (with long time), or are left broken. The protagonist, Colonel Behrani, and the antagonist, Kathy, were locked in a conflict that evoked some sympathy for both, but an immature and impulsive County Deputy, with carnal motive, hijacks the plot and steers it toward horror. I stopped watching about three-fourths the way through, and then I thought there must be some coming twist in the plot, so I went back and watched to the end, with no relief to unmitigated downward spiral. Kingsley was riviting, but all things considered, I wish I had not wasted two hours on this movie.

I recommend watching this movie as an analogy for situations when you can sympathize with two sides of a conflict but also need to see how there is no easy answer. I see a very strong metaphor to the Israel-Palestine conflict, without giving too much away, view the Iranian, Behrani (Ben Kingsley), as the Israelis, being evicted from their home in Europe after World War II due to a descent into madness and attempting to build a new home with a great deal of hard work, and Kathy as the Palestinians, who rightfully own the house but had it re-possessed. View Lester the Police Officer as the other Arab counties and the Lawyer as the Americans. View the sex scene as the thrill and exhilaration of conflict.Superbly acted and directed. When viewed as an analogy to the Israeli and Palestinians it is the only movie I've seen that allows me to fully empathize with both sides and yet not take a side. Can anyone reply with a similar movie on this topic? I've seen no other movie that fits this topic so well, and I'm not sure if the Author intended this interpretation, however, there is this quote in the movie about the land of milk and honey, which is a biblical reference to Israel."Dat's what they say of this country back home, Kath: 'America, the land of milk and honey.' Bot they never tell you the milk's gone sour and the honey's stolen."

It's a strange movie that this one : Jennifer's attachment to the house, her fragile psychic state, Kingsley's determination are not very believable but there's however a spleen feeling that is engaging : it's not every day that Hollywood takes a look at poverty, homeless or has a gentle depressive girl as main heroin and it's a good thing. Similarly, it happens not in sunny LA but rather chilly Frisco. It's a pity that the house isn't much explained : it's ordinary, tidy and as soon as Jennifer is evicted, it's the best place in the world ! Kingsley shows that he is indeed very talented but like « IR 3 », playing the bad guy is not his best choice.