House of Sand and Fog (2003)

From the very first scenes of this stylish and Oscar-nominated production, you know you're on a serious journey. It's a labor of love for first-time feature director, Ukrainian born, Canadian, Vadim Perelman. Perelman is also co-writer and producer and himself, no stranger to hard times - having lived through difficult stages with his family during the struggles of their early days. Here, he has taken- on a seriously dramatic subject (based on a best selling book by Andre Dubus 111). It's a story that offers no easy way out for any of its characters – in fact, it's unrelenting in its pathos. It all begins with a simple mistake on part of the tax and revenue dept but, what follows is nothing shy of devastating. The ramifications of this 'slip-up', implode on the lives of several already challenged individuals (with one being a foul-mouthed recovering young alcoholic woman). All have been strangers until the day of this event and nothing could have prepared them for what was coming.Not since Jules Dassin's classic "Phaedra" have I seen such catastrophic tragedy unleashed on screen. There are many moments when you find yourself hoping these events will sort themselves out and that a common thread of rationality - will bring a shared understanding into the lives of these hapless victims. The viewer is left on tender hooks trying to figure out the next twist of fate! The eerie coastal setting is strikingly photographed by the superb Roger Deakins - with an underscoring of music from James Horner adding an emotional high. Performances are crucial in stories of this caliber and everyone gives it their all - with a tour de force from start to finish. Maybe it is, as some have stated, somewhat over the top – that there could have been a point where a lighter result might have been far more agreeable but, how often do we actually learn better ways to achieve resolutions - unless the unthinkable happens? There are many situations and lessons to be analyzed within this work for young and old, but it's certainly a heavy challenge.Powerful to be sure – a classic tragedy brought to life by a sterling cast and crew. Check your emotional meter and be sure you're in the right frame of mind before sitting through this one....

As a bit of warning, this movie is not a feel-good movie. Not in the slightest; the mize-en-scene of this movie is kept at a constant glum and depressing tone thanks to the visuals, the music, and the subject matter. This film hits a lot of heavy scenes that aren't for the faint of heart: Manipulation, financial debt, racism, domestic disputes, police brutality, and murder-suicide. When you get past that, though, you're greeted with a unique and unforgettable experience of a movie. The camera work is absolutely gorgeous in terms of the views we are given and the lighting used, especially in the final scenes of the movie. The actors capture the emotions flying through the air perfectly, and the music is used at the perfect points in order to compliment the imagery to it's fullest potential. The run time is rather long, but there is not a wasted scene in this film as it grips you from start to finish. Just, make sure you have something lighthearted to watch or do after you finish. You're going to need it.

'House of Sand and Fog' is a very depressing film that revolves around a young troubled woman named Kathy and a down on their luck family of immigrants, the Behranis. The conflict between them arises out of a mistake on the part of the County and the tax department which end up having devastating consequences on the lives of these people.I think one of the main themes that gets explored in the film and what I connected with is how and the extent to which a sense of honour and self respect can drive a person's behaviour and make him/her stubborn. Kathy refuses to reveal her divorce and her sorry financial condition to her family because of this self respect. The Behranis at least at the initial stage of the film are putting on this facade of extravagance because of this self respect and because of their need and urge to not lose their honour in the eyes of society. The Behrani's had come to America with an idea of what the American Dream was about. The initial part of their life in America was spent in affluence and luxury. But even after their lives took a bad turn in a financial way, they feel the need to keep up this disguise of being a happy, well-to-do 'American' family. So much so that when Massoud tells his wife that they may have to move to a smaller, more ordinary house, it becomes a mentally shattering experience for her. In her eyes, moving to a new house, means going back to being an 'Arab' and relinquishing their new 'American'-ness. The sense of feeling like an outsider as an immigrant gets explored. On the other hand Kathy's problem lies in the shame of having undone the work that her departed father did on the house that she inherited. The film is an example of a director elevating a flawed premise through great storytelling. The tone that Vadim Perelman sets for the film is melodramatic. The dialogue is a bit theatrical. But Perelman remains consistent with that tone, so it didn't put me off. There are some great moments of visual flair like the scene where Massoud while he is checking out Kathy's apartment, notices a shining window in an otherwise pitch dark room, another great shot is the shot of Kathy in the bathtub with her reflection in the water. But what Perelman excels at the character scenes for the most part. He gets good performances out of the actors for the most.But the screenplay is a bit flawed in my mind which could be due to what's present in the book which the film is based on. The basic conflict that sets up the film is a bit unconvincing. Also the way the situations and circumstances constantly escalate in the last act of the film become increasingly bizarre, ridiculous and not believable. Perelman elevates this material by chewing the scenery a bit with his direction which in a way hides the weaknesses of the story.The acting for the most part is good. Ben Kingsley is powerful and commanding. Jennifer Connelly like she did in 'Requiem for a Dream' plays a broken character very well. Having said that there are a few scenes involving every actor that could come off as a bit fake, but I guess that goes along with the tone of the film. However Ron Eldard as the character of Lester was a bit boring. His characteristics, his mannerisms and his actions range from bland to really off-putting and maybe the writing has a lot to do with it.'House of Sand and Fog' is a depressing, heartbreaking film. It is not a great film in any sense of the word. It has a lot of screenplay and writing issues which may have their source in the original novel in terms of realism. It is a good exploration of pride and honour. But it's still certainly worth watching for the direction, the acting and the themes. Recommended.

Massoud Amir Behrani (Ben Kingsley) and Nadereh (Shohreh Aghdashloo) are Iranian exiles. He is still maintaining a facade of success but is actually working menial jobs. He buys a bungalow at an auction, moves in his family and then intends to flip it. Kathy Nicolo (Jennifer Connelly) was wrongly evicted for $500 of unpaid business taxes. She has been depressed for months after being abandoned by her husband. Sympathetic Deputy Sheriff Lester Burdon (Ron Eldard) tries to help and has an affair with her. It's a desperate struggle for both sides.This is a depressing tragedy. It is unrelenting in its direction. This is expertly laid down by newcomer Vadim Perelman. It does go to a very dark place but it is not coming out of nowhere. One must almost abandon all hope and enjoy this descend into personal destruction.