Review of Life as a House

There are some films that require a certain kind of faith from the

viewer. "Weepies" are inevitably about indulgence and similarly to

porn the way this comes is in a moment of release, in this case

emotional. The best of them, like this film, provide good drama

and startling performances which touch you with the right blend of

comical elements and painful realisations.

Kevin Kline makes this film work with a telling portrayal of a man

with a choice; to do something with the time left or to leave it all

behind and die in helpless bitterness. I never felt manipulated by

this film though I had defences up and at the ready. It got under my

skin and left me saddened but empowered. The cast are a great

ensemble and the beautiful setting - coveniently symbolic as it is -

adds a glow to the film.