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this movie will leave you speechless

Before watching this movie I was thinking that it will be a good movie because of the presence of sir ben kingsley & jennifer connelly and it came out as one of the most powerful & thought provoking movies I've ever see.I wasn't expecting such a good work from a rather new director.It gives you a ride through deep emotions & won't let you decide whats wrong & whats right.It makes you believe that not everything in this world can be either right or wrong.Not only the performances of sir ben kingsley & jennifer connelly were absolutely stunning but others also played their part pretty well.This movie is a must watch if you are into serious cinema.

1 word, P.O.W.E.R.F.U.L.!!!!

I have never seen a movie more powerful that this one. The plot it's unusual but that only makes it better. Jenniffer Conelly and Ben Kingsley shine, I was moved by their characters and their strogle... LOVED IT... Can not watch this movie with out shading tears....

A dynamic drama with a shocking end.

"House of Sand and Fog" is a dynamic drama, that leaves one with a contagion of depression from its thematic substance. Ben Kingsley delivers one of his most intense performances to date. Jennifer Connelly's portrayal of a young depressed woman is convincing. Despite the sadness, it is a strong, emotional film which emphasizes family ties and culture in a profound way.

Great cast & acting cannot overcome countless plot holes & unexplained scenes

Other reviewers cannot understand how this film didn't win an award. I can't figure out why they think it should. This film is a textbook case of taking itself way too seriously and not having a coherent message or plot. Just because a movie has a good cast and is tragic does not mean it's a good film. Do not mistake sadness and acting for story.My family and I lost count of how many plot holes this film contains, but after an hour we all agreed there were so many that we lost interest in the whole thing. No characters made us care about them, and so when the end comes about, we felt nothing. And that is why the film is so self-important; it assumes it has grabbed the viewer but it has not, and so it falls flat, and badly. We do not really know the motivations behind any of the characters. That and other rather interesting coincidences are the only things to make the "plot" limp along at times.This film was also way too long. There are far too many scenes that just drag on as we watch totally inconsequential things take place. The film could easily have been half an hour shorter without removing a single meaningful scene, just removing the wasted frames when absolutely nothing is happening.Then there's the pseudo-symbolism. We keep being shown the birdbath--at first it's bright, then it's dark, then it's raining. Oooh, how deep. If the plot can't show you that things are going downhill, the birdbath is going to do it for you? Not. Just more self-importance.And finally, here is a point for filmmakers: Give us at least one character whom we can identify with. Who in this film was I supposed to like and feel sorry for? I didn't end up liking or empathizing with any of them--they all made really blatant, stupid mistakes and ended up bringing everything that happened upon themselves. There are enough bad things going on in the world that we shouldn't manufacture completely implausible situations like those in this film and waste our time trying to care about characters who don't deserve our caring.If you want to see a recent film that is truly tragic and deserves your empathy, try Hotel Rwanda. It's not perfect, but it's way more worth your time than Sand and Fog.

I wish the second half was as good as the first (**1/2)

The most interesting thing about this extremely well-made but overwrought melodrama is that it's the THIRD film now with a prominent shot of Jennifer Connelly standing on the end of a pier. Connelly, one of my favorite young actresses (she should have won an Oscar for her work in "Requiem For A Dream"), plays Kathy, a mess of a young woman who is evicted from her house for failure to pay some taxes. She missed the notices because, lost in a depressed haze for several months, she never opened her mail. Meanwhile, a Iranian immigrant named Behrani (Ben Kingsley) snaps up this seized property for a low price, further ruining Kathy's life. Behrani is not a villain, though. He's a complicated man with a family to provide for and his fortune (he was a prestigious Colonel back in Iran) is quickly disappearing. For the first hour, "House Of Sand And Fog" seems like it's going to be an awesome movie. The struggle over the house is interesting, because both Kathy and Behrani are sympathetic in some ways AND unsympathetic in some ways. You honestly don't know whose side to be on. Another thing that makes the first hour so good is the slow building of suspense. We can see a situation that could possibly become violent looming in the distance, and there is some nice foreshadowing of it (especially a cringe-worthy scene involving nails). Unfortunately, the classy thriller that "House Of Sand And Fog" seems to be developing into never arrives. It almost gets there, but instead takes off into a rather unsatisfying and unrealistic direction. Plus, that second hour is slooooooow. The performances given by Kingsley and especially Connelly are extremely good, and the film LOOKS great, full of gorgeous shots and it has a pleasingly rich and dark color palette. But all those things should be in the service of a good story, and after the excellent first hour, "House Of Sand And Fog" just doesn't have that.

Disappointed

So much critical hype, but overall conventional and contrived. None of the characters are very believable, especially Ben Kingsley's. Jennifer Connelly is, as usual, beautiful but sadly limited as an actress. The story as a whole is dull and predictable. Really felt put off by the director's attempt to manipulate the audience emotionally.

Oh, and to the people who've glibly compared this to Shakespearean and Greek tragedies: Which have you actually read, or are we talking only from our knowledge of "cinematic adaptations" like "Troy"?

Mediocrity appeals to the masses. That's the only explanation for all the 4- and 5-star ratings given to this glorified soap opera.

Absolutely Terrible and Demeaning

This movie is hands down one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Additionally, it is totally offensive in its demeaning portrayal of Iranians. I really cannot believe the Ben Kingsly agreed to be a part of this. I have no idea what the point of this movie is.

Almost flawless drama about the power over one's property- great work by Connelly and Kinglsey

Vadim Perelman's feature directing debut is an adaptation of Andre Dubus' novel, and he shows fine skill in bringing together stories of growing despair. The beautiful Connelly plays Kathy, a house-cleaner who's fighting an old alcohol addiction, and who gets evicted after a mistake in regards to tax payments. In the interim of her figuring out how to get her house back, Massoud Amir Behrani (Kingsley) and his wife and son move into the house (they can't afford their past home, and a reason Behrani takes it is so that he can later sell it for more money) and re-construct parts of it. Kathy soon meets up with the same policeman who evicted her, Lester (Ron Eldard), and despite a family of his own, they start a relationship, and he becomes involved in her struggles as well.One reason to see a film like this are for the story, which unfolds by taking it's time, carefully balancing the two sides- Kathy and Behrani.
Perelman does not show them as being too irrational, or rather in-human, but just damaged, stubborn beings who have trouble in compromising over a house that means so much to her (and to him- Behrani, or at least his family, becomes as sympathetic as Kathy). The other is for the acting- Connelly brings out believability in Kathy, even when she's at her most vulnerable and desperate (she should get more award acclaim than she looks like she's getting). Kingsley is always on the mark as Behrani, an ex-Iranian Colonel, who has his heart in the right place by providing for his wife and son, though is difficult in being persuaded. Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nadi, Behrani's wife, is also very impressive. Only Ron Eldard as Lester the cop is less than satisfying. It's something of a necessary character to the story, I suppose, however his work doesn't come off like it should- or could- and at the least gets over-shadowed by his fellow actors. He didn't make the film come to a grinding halt, yet he might have not been the best actor for the role.But that's just a quibble- House of Sand and Fog is one of the most potent of 2003's dramas- solid themes, an unpredictable third act, and it has an appeal for the audiences looking for one more taste of well-acted cinema after Mystic River, The Magdalene Sisters, 21 Grams, and Monster (the latter I have not seen yet). A-

Best movie of 2003 and a phenomenal adaptation of the book!

I am shocked that some voters have given this book a rating of less than a 10! They obviously don't know anything about character development.The movie is so true to the book in which the characters have flaws yet certain compelling underlying strengths and compassion. You love them and in a certain way you despise them. Meanwhile the story line is like a runaway freight train. You are not sure where it is going to land but you know something devastating is going to happen. The directing, screenplay, cinema photography, music score and acting are all superb. Kingsley is a lock for an Oscar if they plan to hold an award ceremony this year. Connelly is deserving and there even might be a best supporting actor or actress consideration. If the voters can get away from glitz and glamor HOSAF should get 6-8 Oscars. And bring your Kleenex. I had read the book and still couldn't hold back the tears. Kudos to all involved with this remarkable piece of art.

Depressing

That new layout in Screen cinema 1 is very bad. The older seating was better.A young woman has her home taken by the county board. She pesters the new family - with tragic results.Yet another depressing movie featuring Connolly. Overlong and overdirected. Kingsley has a very strong role. That deputy is a total idiot. Still, it was Kingsley's idea which led to the tragedy. Silly title. I liked the early scenes of Kingsley working in badly paid jobs. He's an interesting character. Connolly is miscast - she's far too attractive for this role. Convoluted final quarter. It goes on too long. The ending is too forced nevertheless; the first half of "House of Sand and Fog" was extremely watchable. Is this story set in the early '90s? Why would a teenager in 2004 have a crisp new SuperNintendo poster on his bedroom wall?This movie is superior to most current releases.

chilling and extremely sad

I liked this movie. I just finished about it about 5 minutes ago. It was the saddest movie I've ever seen, but so very well acted. I've never been affected this way by a stupid movie.

I would give it 5 stars, but it was just soooooo sad.

All Around, A Bad Hair Day.

SPOILERS.Prettily photographed, well acted, curiously directed, but it doesn't work well as tragedy.It would be hard not to make the San Francisco Bay area attractive, what with combers of fog rolling over the beach and cascading down the lee side of the Coast Range. Lots of backlighted trees here with gray curliques slithering around between them. Not too many shots of the city, though. This is a story about a house in the hills overlooking the ocean. Happily it's not all picture-postcard perfect. The all-important ocean view from the house is cluttered by some drunken telephone poles.The performances are all pretty good, with Ben Kingsley outstanding as the status-discrepant ex-colonel, stiff and proud, needing a crisis to show his love even for his family, which means almost everything to him. Kingsley is the kind of guy who, when his job as laborer is finished, goes to the men's room, shaves, spruces up, and puts on a suit so he can enter his house dignified. His wife has a materialistic bent, or so Kingsley is led to believe, and trying to keep this high-maintenance woman happy in exile is no easy thing. But she's sympathetic too. The character is complex, nicely written and well done by the actress. Kingsley's son has less to do. Jennifer Connolly is past her succulent and thoroughly illegal teen-age years and has turned into a lustrous young woman. She puts some effort into the role too, and if she's not exactly a major talent, well, she doesn't really have to be, with those over-sized incisors and that French curve of a nose. Her married boyfriend, Ron Eldred, is rather bland in the part of an impulsive loose cannon who falls inexplicably in love with the scintillating beauty he's trying to help. (Would he help as eagerly if Connolly were a hairy old man?)The direction and script are well integrated. The director's not afraid to linger over shots that give us some insight into ethos and relationships, without their being elaborated in the screenplay. Two wordless, strictly visual examples. (1) When we first meet Connolly she is sound asleep, alone in her disordered house. The phone wakes her up at six in the morning, she shakes herself awake, and heaves out of bed. It's a water bed, and the camera stays on the wobbling surface of the sheet longer than necessary, long enough for us to wonder why the place is so sloppy, long enough for us to wonder if those messy sheets and blankets still carry the warmth of her body. (2) Booted out of her abode by an uncaring bureaucracy, she tells the Legal Aid person (Frances Fisher) that she's now "staying with a friend." There is another wordless shot that describes the relationship with real economy. The friend, a blonde of Connolly's age, is seated on a couch eating bon bons or something and raptly staring at a basketball game on the telly, while behind her Connolly is vacuuming the floor. Connolly pauses for a moment and glances at her friend's back in exasperation. That's all we need to know. Lesser imaginations would have given us a screaming match between the two so that we would know why Connolly winds up sleeping in her car.But there's the rub. Right there in that scene. The scene is true to itself okay. But why has Connolly begun cleaning house? I mean, when her own place looked like a neglected garbage dump in Nicaragua? The scene isn't true to the character. And this happens far too often. Characters not only change without pertinent motivation or explanation, they undergo paradigm shifts. The nice, compassionate even-tempered deputy sheriff, noticing a slight bruise on Connolly's arm, goes to Kingsley's house and threatens him with deportation. Kingsley throws over his aloofness and becomes an angel of mercy. Kingsley's kid, heretofor noted mainly as an object of Kingsley's attention and a devotion to skateboarding, goes berserk and pulls out a gun just as he and Kingsley are about to achieve their goals, and the sheriff and Connolly too. Why? I guess so he can die and Kingsley can have his tragic moment.Everyone suffers abominably. Connolly loses her house through carelessness and tries suicide a couple of times. (Why doesn't she look for a job and get a room somewhere?) The deputy loses his family and his job and his freedom and winds up in the slams. Kingsley and his wife lose their son, their house, and their new lives. Well -- their lives, period. It's all very depressing but none of the sadness seems organic to the plot or the characters. It's sad without being tragic. Most of the characters have minor flaws that just happen to come together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to make a picture of complete devastation. Comparisons are often a bad idea but so as not to take space spelling out what I mean by "organic" in this context, I'll just mention "Streetcar Named Desire," which really IS tragic. Everything that happens is a natural outgrowth of what's happened before. Characters don't explode with epiphanies. They are what they are. The title is apt. "House of Sand and Fog." It moves slowly. There's no humor. The fog is picturesque but also pretty gloomy. I'm happy to have seen it but wouldn't watch it again.

"depressing" is an euphemism

Yes, this is a very good film. Yes, the acting is formidable. And, yes, it tells us all kinds of interesting things about the confrontation of cultures in an environment of proud, though rather stubborn, Iranian refugees in an xenophobic US. But all these things really do not matter that much because the only thing you'll experience after watching this film is emptiness if not near suicidal depression. This is a complete 'no hoper'. Everybody looses in this film, well, half of the characters die anyway and those that do survive, are not going to experience any kind of simple joy let alone, 'happiness', in the near future. Maybe twenty ears of intense counseling will do the job but I sincerely doubt it. It left me numb. Actually, I almost regretted that I voluntarily went trough the ordeal of watching this agonizing story of painful misunderstandings leading towards death and suicide. Be ware.

Interesting Story

If this darn film had a more pleasant resolution, I would have given it 5 stars. OK, I know tragedy can happen in life, but that just isn't something which I look to find entertainment.

But, that said, it was a five star film most of the way, after pulling the viewer into the plot (conflict over ownership of a house) enhanced with some really engaging acting performances and studies of human behavior.

OK, I was suckered in, enjoyed most of the ride, but was left with a slight headache which I still have. I guess that was the filmmaker's goal, so he succeeded.

let's be serious

To those who can give a movie like this ONE star; I must respond.

Is it likely, a movie that is so critically (yes, I mean those who KNOW movie-making) and a film that can be nominated for numerous awards, actually be that awful?

The substance of a film notwithstanding, many 'laymen' and 'laywomen' in the case of another reviewer, simply must be entertained for them to give a good review. This movie does not entertain in the way many simple favorites can do (Star Wars, ET, Benji etc.) What this movie DOES do, is to represent the passion and determination with which people will go to fulfill their goals and aspirations, no matter how extreme that may be.

Jennifer Connoly is a wonderful actress and very attractive,

but Ben Kingsley, ... is this man a knight already? I think he should be!

POWERFUL DEEP DRAMA

This is easily one of the best movies I have seen in a while. Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connely were both nominated for academy awards for their powerful performances.
It all starts with a "simple" mix up on the city's behalf, charging Connely's character a bogus business tax that ends up getting her kicked out of her home; meanwhile kingsley's character who has come to america to make a life for him and his family buys her house in an auction held by the city and ends up fixing up the house and quadrupiling the value and in turn he tries to sell the house to make a profit, but all the while Connely's character is jumping through all the legal hoops she can to get her house back. From that point things get a little out of hand but the movies builds the characters and story line so well that by the last half hour or so of the movie you can identify equaly with all of the characters you want to see them all get what they want, but given the circumstances that just isn't possible.
THe movie moves a little slow to start but it is all character and story build up that is done with such prescision that you will be glued to the television an awe of the movie that you are witnessing.

Ben Kingsley's acting is wonderful but the rest of the movie is a real downer............

Ben Kingsley's acting is remarkable in the film as he convincingly plays a former high ranking Iranian colonel dealing with a much lower style of living in the U.S. Jennifer Connelly is able to evoke the audience's sympathy despite her character being remarkably dumb and inept. The movie is compelling at first with an interesting and unique plot but the nightmarish ending made it difficult for me to find real enjoyment in the film. And the real estate legal situations as well as the colonel and his wife's sudden decision to take in and help the "angel bird" did not see realistic. I suppose there is a message to be learned from the movie in regards to what is really important in life but the main impression I took away from the film was the very tragic and rather graphic ending.

Don't Let Some Mixed Reviews Keep You From Seeing This Film!!!!

House Of Sand And Fog was just an amazing piece of Film. You won't see many performances better than Connelly's, and as good as she was, Kingsley was just brilliant! The movie has such a lasting dark tone that some people may dislike, but as a pure "Haunting" Drama, YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS FILM! If you thought Mystic River was an incredible Dramatic Film, I can't argue, but what I can say is that House Of Sand And Fog takes it to another level!!!! The Movie is so much more than just about the House. It touches on the deepest issues of pride, family, addiction, and much more. GO SEE THIS FILM, BUT PREPARE YOURSELF TO LEAVE THE THEATRE IN A DAZE!

Do Not Watch This If You Suffer From Depression!

Boy, did my opinion change on this after the second viewing. On the first, I found it utterly fascinating and a pleasant surprise. I rated it a '9." On the second, I got so annoyed at two of the characters I lost interest in ever seeing this film again and lowered it to a "6."So, with that in mind, my recommendation would be to definitely see the film but don't buy it. In other words, rent it.It's hard to review this movie without spoiling it, so all I will say is the ending is a shocker. Overall, the film is anything but uplifting as very flawed characters make poor choice after poor choice and their lives spiral downwards. It can get more than a little uncomfortable to watch.However, in the "good news" department, the story will keep you riveting all the way; the ending is one you'll never forget and the camera-work in here is exquisite. One of the best cinematographers in the business, Roger Deakins, shot this film and he did his normal superb job.Ben Kingsley is an actor who seems to be playing more and more intense roles (Sexy Beast, Suspect Zero, etc.) and he excels at it. Iranian Shohreh Aghdashloo plays his wife in here and she is outstanding, in a very understated and perhaps unappreciated performance. The two people that really bothered me, which also means they did a fine acting job, were the characters played by Jennifer Connelly and Ron Eldard.This is one intense movie and I will provide this public service message to you: if you are on depression medicine, stay away from this film!

The House Of Sand, Fog, & More Importantly, Dreams...

The star of this film and the crux of the story just happens to revolve around an inanimate object. It is the small home in the California hills by the Pacific.

The house that was given to it's occupant at the beginning of the film is owner, Kathy Niccolo played by Jennifer Connelly. Kathy is a recovering alcoholic/addict who is trying to cope with the loss of her husband after he leaves her. She has no family ties as evidenced in brief phone conversations throughout the movie. Undeniably, Kathy's home is the only stability she has in her lonely world. To Kathy, the house of sand and fog is her dream of what was, things in the past and her present sanity.

However, unbeknownst to Kathy, her treasured home is mistakenly up for public auction due to unopened mail and supposed, unpaid taxes.


Ben Kingsley as Massoud Amir Behrani, a former colonel in the Iranian military under the Shah, Behrani works construction during the daylight hours and as a gas station attendant at night, all the while, saving his money, moving from place to place and looking for a better job so that he, his wife, Nadi and beloved only son, Esmail may truly live the American Dream. Behrani happens to see Kathy's home up for auction in the newspaper and decides to purchase the small home, fix it up and sell it for a profit. To Behrani, the house of sand and fog is his dream of the future. A dream of a better life and returning a sense of pride for him and his whole family.

Once Kathy finds out that she is to be evicted from her own home and the property sold, she consults with Attorney, Connie Walsh played by Frances Fisher, in hopes of returning her home to her. Alas, no quick and speedy hope is found in the legal system and Kathy meets...



Sympathetic and pathetic policeman, Lester, played by Ron Eldard. Lester is in a loveless marriage with two children and falls in love teetering on obsession with Kathy and her plight. Lester leaves his family to try and help Kathy. Lester becomes her lover, confidant, drinking partner and friend. To Lester, the house of sand and fog means a new life starting over with Kathy and being a hero in her eyes.

Once Kathy falls off the wagon due to Lester's influence, things start quickly spinning out of control. What starts out as a legal battle soon escalates into all manner of personal confrontations with dire results. Lester bungles up many a thing during the film including harrassment, blackmail, and dare I say, much, much worse...

This is a depressing tale of dreams broken and, moreover, of people lost and hurting with nowhere or no one to turn to. There are times in the film as a viewer where it's hard to feel compassion for Kathy or for Behrani due to their human mistakes, personality quirks, and emotional outbursts but in the terrible, terrible end, the compassion felt for both sides is quite overwhelming.

Highly Recommended!