Intangible Dreams and Unstable Lives
House Stands on Solid Acting Ground

The beauty of House of Sand and Fog is that it didn't fall into the old Hollywood formula. Despite the preview's emphasis on conflict, there is very little direct conflict in the film. Instead of revenge, there are attempts at reconciliation. Instead of stalking, there is direct action. What could have been another churned out Hollywood "thriller" is in fact an interesting character study filled with amazing, tragic performances.

Jennifer Connelly stars as Kathy, a young woman forcibly evicted from her San Francisco home. From the beginning, it is clear she suffers from depression. Her house is unkempt, her mail is piled on the floor, and when her mother calls and asks about her husband, Kathy lies and says he is asleep beside her. So, when the county comes to evict her for failure to pay taxes on a business she never owned, she wants to fight back but lacks the energy to do so. With the help of a nice deputy (Lester Burton, played by Ron Eldard), Kathy moves her stuff and contacts a lawyer.

Already, however, someone has set his sights on her house. Behrani (Ben Kingsley) is a retired Iranian colonel who lives with his family in America. At first, he seems devoted to his family. His dedication working two jobs is seen as selfless love and hard-working determination. It soon becomes clear that his obsession to obtain this house is a very personal goal, a step in regaining some of his family's former glory. He wants to buy the house cheap, fix it up, and resell it for four times what he paid. The situation being what it is, his dream seems very obtainable.

But Behrani's dream comes at a price, one paid by the already emotionally fragile Kathy. Unable to accept her loss, Kathy hovers around her old house and eventually comes in contact with its new owners. There is conflict, but it refuses to escalate beyond harsh words. The whole situation seems very civilized. But like a landscape hidden beneath a shroud of fog, things are not always as they appear. When she turns to deputy Burton for assistance, she sets into motion a series of events that will change the lives of everyone involved.

The story brings into conflict two cultures and two very different people. While Behrani is strong and resolute, Kathy is weak and suffering. His apparent lack of concern for her situation is countered by her emotional outbreaks. When Kathy and Lester discuss the family who have moved into her house, there are underlying tones of racism and cultural mistrust. Referring to Behrani's wife Nadi (Shohreh Aghdashloo), Kathy says "She doesn't even speak English!" as if that indictment alone should preclude the family's right to own property.

House of Sand and Fog is excellent film because it captures so much through its performances. Kingsley's portrayal of Behrani sways between magnanimous kindness and ruthless patriarchal values. When his daughter is married, he dances with her as a good father does. But when his wife complains about moving, he shows a more monstrous side that leaves no room for question about his domination of the family.

Connelly continues to excel in dramatic performances, offering her best work since her award-winning portrayal in A Beautiful Mind. She is withdrawn and turned inward, creating a performance that succeeds because of its minimalist nature. She moves so little in the film that every movement, every eye flicker, denotes something important. She reeks of sadness and despair, but audiences will cynically wonder if there is more going on beneath it all.

Cinematically, this film offers some breathtaking images of San Francisco and the fog rolling in via time-lapse photography. Instead of concentrating on a picturesque home on a hill, however, the house in question is nothing special, it's ocean view only accessible from the widow's walk on the roof. This, too, is an interesting visual, as the leaning fence and barren yard do not typify a home buyer's dream.

While House of Sand and Fog is certainly a good film, filled with excellent performances, it does walk a fine line between art house fare and multiplex appeal. With notable actors like Kingsley and Connelly, it may bring in more people than otherwise possible. Yet, I don't see this making a big box office impact unless it gets the buzz that can only be generated by Academy Award nominations.

MY RATING: 8 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 126 min.