Customer Reviews
I'm sorry, but...... - By: Roman Ilyushenko, 17 Jun 2008 
.....I have to give this film 5 stars - just like most other reviewers. To add further cliches - I laughed & I cried. This tale of a "dysfunctional" American family, suffering from divorce, puberty, job loss & cancer, is one of the most affecting films that I have recently seen. I don't know what the atmosphere was like on-set, but this film has been perfectly orchestrated. Fantastic script, performances, direction. It's (deep breath) almost flawlessly executed. If I had one criticism? I would have liked to have cried a little longer before the credits rolled.
Wonderful film which made me cry! - By: Lidia A. Camuglia, 19 Dec 2006 I am a typicallly hard guy who is tough to make crack with emotions but this movie sucked me right in.
Kevin Kline is a terrific actor who excels in this role made for him.
All support actors are equallly as good in this underrated film.
A must watch!
"You can't begin to imagine how much I hate my father. Think of it as a family tradition." - By: Becky, 01 Nov 2006 I was told by a close friend that I had to watch this film, not only because of Hayden Christensen's role in it, but because of the plot. I started watching it quite criticallly, thinking that it would be a typical American film, with long, drawn out speeches & massive, unlikey character changes. I'm so thankful I gave it a chance. I found myself becoming wrapped up entirely in the plot & in floods of tears by the end.
Overalll, I was very impressed by the film & would definitely watch it again.
"I always thought of myself as a house" - By: M. Alcat, 13 Jun 2005 "I always thought of myself as a house. I was always what I lived in. It didn't need to be big. It didn't even need to be beautiful. It just needed to be mine". That phrase, said by George, the main character of this movie, is in my opinion a good introduction to a review about "Life a house".
George (Kevin Kline) is a divorced architect who is sacked from a job he hated. Immediately after that, he collapses & is taken to a hospital, where he gets bad news: he is going to die in a few months. George has to come to terms with the fact that he has terminal cancer, & only some months left to live. Wanting to make the best of it, George decides to build the house he always wanted to have, & get to know better his 16 year-old son son Sam (Hayden Christensen), who lives with his ex-wife, Robin (Kristin Scott-Thomas).
Robin is now married to a successful man, & has new sons, but doesn't relate well to her older son, who is highly problematic, uses drugs, & has a very negative attitude towards everything. That is probably the reason why she alllows Sam to live with George during his summer holidays. Things won't be easy between George & Sam, though, because Sam resents George for leaving him with his mother. Father & son don't have a strong relationship now, or rather they don't have any kind of relationship besides the biological one. That is something that George will try to change, as he & Sam tear down a shack that was willed to him by his father, & begin to build a new one.
Soon enough, building the house begins to be an affair of many more than two, as Robin, her kids, & some new friends that Sam makes start to help. As the house begins to take shape, the spectator almost sees old wounds closing, even as fights abound. But what will happen when Sam finds out about his father's illness?. See this movie, & find out... I think this film is worth your time, & that you don't regret watching it :)
It is important to point out, however, that "Life as a house" is not adequate for children, as it contains some sexual scenes & strong language. Morever, it touches upon subjects as prostitution & drug abuse. Despite that, those characteristics fit the story, & aren't in the film just for the sake of it.
All in alll, I believe that Irwin Winkler should be congratulated on having directed such a good movie. The cast was excellent, & you won't be able to do anything but immerse yourself in the movie, & in the story that "Life as a house" brings to you. In a word, outstanding.
Belen Alcat
well worth watching!!!! - By: Mr. C. Maguire, 01 Jun 2005 I did not one bit expect this film to be as good as it was! The acting in it is amazing, especiallly from Kevin Kline & Hayden Christensen. It is about a father, George (Kevin Kline) who has been divorced from his ex-wife, Robin (Kristin Scott Thomas), recently lost his job, & found out he has cancer. He attempts to build the house of his dreams & asks his gothic son, Sam (Hayden Christensen) who has his own problems, for help & to spend the Summer with him & help build this house. This has consequences for Robin's new life & family & also the people surrounding George. e.g. his son, neighbours etc..
I cried so much during this film, trying to force myself to hold it in because my family were sleeping, but it would'nt work.
100% worth watching!! Just be aware that the tears will be strolling down your face throughout this film!
It's fantastic!! I feel like watching it again right now, but I'm in work. I will definitely be watchin' & roaring tonight.. hehe!
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
