Hey folks, Harry here... THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG is an exceptional film of amazing subtlety and power. Do not miss an opportunity to see it. For one... Ben Kingsley is amazing in the film. Secondly, Jennifer is just... wow. She has come so far as an actress and is so consistently wonderful that I find myself anticipating her next performance now, more than her next appearance... that really is saying something. Here's Quint...
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a look at the first film seen after the amazing Trilogy Tuesday experience, THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG.
My main interest in seeing this film was the director, Vadim Perelman. I love Jennifer Connelly to death and have had a huge crush on her since I was an impressionable child and wondered why my pants were too tight when I watched LABYRINTH. Ben Kingsley is one of those actors that just puts you in awe of the power acting can truly wield... But my main interest still was seeing Perelman's work.
You see, I'm a Stephen King nut. Have been since I read my first non-school related novel. Perelman has signed to direct one of my favorite King books, THE TALISMAN, which King co-wrote with Peter Straub. Next to King's DARK TOWER series, this is some of the best stuff King has put out and I got very nervous when a commercial director got the job of visualizing this great novel.
After having seen the film, I can not think of anyone better to adapt this story at this time, especially if he brings the brilliant cinematography created by Roger Deakins (BIG LEBOWSKI, SID & NANCY, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION) to the table.
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG is a simple story with some of the most complexly drawn characters I think have ever been captured to film. Everyone is human, everything is the color of the night fog... gray and murky. Nothing is clear cut. Kingsley plays a father who is working himself ragged to keep his family in the comfort they deserve. He has scrimped and saved enough that when I house with a sea view comes up for auction, he spends what little money he has and gets it on the cheap.
Unfortunately, this house was taken away from a young woman (Jennifer Connelly) due to $500 in owed back taxes that wasn't hers to begin with. This house is the last thing she has. Her husband left her, she's a recovering addict... The house is the last thing she has to hold on to. Legally, the county can buy back the house from Kingsley at the price he paid, but he's not willing to let it go for under its appraised value and the tension mounts.
Both Kingsley and Connelly are sympathetic characters who make some good decisions and some terribly bad decisions. Neither really have any deep set agenda or prejudice. They get angry, they get sad, they get apologetic. They are both good people at opposite ends, the house resting in the middle.
Things escalate in this film to a point you probably don't want them to. I joked after the film when asked by the press relations guy for comments... I said, "Feel good movie of the year."
It's terribly hard to avoid getting emotionally involved in this film. The people are real, the situation is real and so when thing spiral out of control we feel like we're falling with it. What happens in this film isn't outside the realm of possibility. This can really happen to anyone.
The acting is superb. Connelly shines, her gorgeous green eyes pierce your heart and soul. Kingsley gives a powerful performance. Shohreh Aghashloo plays Kingsley's wife and my god... She is powerful in this film. She speaks little English and that works to make her feel so lost when pleading to Connelly or her husband. She almost steals the show for me. Her character is the one I will remember the most, I think.
To round it off, you have brand new actor Jonathan Ahdout playing Esmail, Kingsley's son. At the beginning of the film you don't think he'll have much to do in the story, but he becomes more integral as the film continues. He has the heart of his mother and the strength of his father. Great work by this young actor.
I'm really impressed with this film. The performances are powerful. The cinematography is about as beautiful as I've seen on film. The characters are brilliantly detailed. I don't think you could ask for anything better if you're feeling the need to see an intimate film this holiday. Just remember, this film will fuck you up. It's not a happy ending for anyone. If you can stand that, you'll fall in love with this film just like I did.
That's it from me, squirts. I'll be back soon with some more goodies... Or I may just be lazy and enjoy the holidays. hehe 'Til then, how about a little fantasy casting for THE TALISMAN? Who is your ideal Jack Sawyer? Wolf? Morgan Sloat? I always saw Michael Ironside when I read the book... How about Lily? For my money, you couldn't find a better Lily than Olivia Hussey. She may be too elegant for the Queen of the Bs, but I think she needs that elegance. What do you think? Post below!
-Quint
