Title Directed by
Rating
Times Seen
House of Sand and Fog Vadim Perelman 3 1
     I remember the first time I saw Jennifer Connelly on screen; it was in Labyrinth, the other Jim Henson fantasy film. I remember thinking, “she’s really pretty.” Then I saw the Rocketeer, the late 80’s adventure film where she played the damsel in distress, and thought, “Wow, she’s hot!” I’m guessing that the rest of her career has been intentionally aimed at losing the pretty-girl image she started out with; I’d say she’s succeeded. Since Rocketeer, she’s grabbed some powerful dramatic roles, matching Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind, and even making forays back into the genre that launched her career with “The Hulk” I really like Connelly, and not simply because I thought she was hot when I was a teenager. She’s grown in her craft to become a very capable actress, as is evidenced by her performance in the House of Sand and Fog.
   In fact, everyone in the film does a great job with their respective roles. This is a well crafted piece of film, but like Kill Bill, while I can admit that someone did their job well, I cannot admit that I enjoyed myself while watching it. To be sure, I had great anst for the characters, and wanted both Connelly and Kingsley’s characters to find what they were hoping for. By the time the credits rolled however, I was just really depressed, and wanted very badly to watch one of Connelly’s happier films, like “Dark City”.
    “House of Sand and Fog” reminded me of “Changing Lanes” in many ways, although “House” executes its agenda in a more satisfying way. In truth, “House” ends the way “Lanes” really would have if it hadn’t been a Hollywood picture. “House” is more true to its characters, and takes them to the fates they have chosen. This is no after-school special, nor is it a morality play. This is a Shakespearean tragedy played out in modern day America. The castle has been replaced by a house on the ocean’s shore; it is Shylock’s pound of flesh, it is Hamlet’s obsessive quest to avenge his father’s memory. Like “Changing Lanes”, the characters in “House of Sand and Fog” are relentless and without grace towards each other. Unlike Affleck and Jackson, Connelly and Kingsely arrive at the point of crying ‘mercy’ far too late. The events have moved too far, the emotional violence is too deep to turn back.
   People decry the comic book violence of “Kill Bill” when a Columbine occurs, but a film like “House of Sand and Fog” shows the real violence that leads to Columbine, the everyday violence where one little infraction brings a reaction, and once we’ve been pushed, we push back. It shows the futility of “getting one’s way”, since even once we’ve gained what we hoped for, the price we’ve paid to get it has outweighed the value. Christ’s words “what does it benefit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” kept running through my head while I was watching the film.
    So it’s a stellar movie with top notch craftsmanship. But it’s really depressing, because unlike “Kill Bill” I know this story is all too true. It could easily end up in tomorrow’s headlines. And while the names and the reasons might be different, the story would remain the same; I push you, and you push back, and we keep pushing, until someone gets hurt. So, like “Changing Lanes”, I would say that “House of Sand and Fog” is the most violent film I’ve seen this year. Unlike “Kill Bill” I can still recommend seeing it, if for no other reason than to bring us all to our knees in humility, and to reflect on how we can all stop pushing.
     NOTE: Anyone new to Gotthammer may be confused by my "stellar movie with top notch craftsmanship" comment in light of the "3" rating I gave it. Check out the comments beside the rating and you'll understand. I don't have to like a movie to know it was well made. But if I don't like it, don't expect me to give it a good rating.

Movie Reviews - House of Sand and Fog

Legend
10
 This movie is in my "top 10 films" list.
9
 I laughed, I cried, I peed my pants because there was no good time to leave the theater.
8
 The kind of movie you see twice and tell all your friends about.
7
 Worth paying full admission for.
6
 Worth seeing.
5
 Could have waited for DVD.
4
 Should have waited for DVD.
3
 Even if I'd waited for the DVD I'd still feel cheated out of the rental price.
2
 If someone ever gives me this movie I'll use the DVD as a coaster.
1
 Kept watching because my arms were pinned and I couldn't claw my eyes out.
0
 Piece of crap.
WO
Walked out.