House Call

Not long ago, I watched the 2001 movie Life as a House. It's a drama about a man trying to reconnect with his son and ex-wife after learning of a fatal cancer that has left him only a few months to live. Mixed in with the story are other bits of background in the neighborhood, rather like American Beauty -- an older woman starting a relationship with her daughter's teenage boyfriend, the main character's ex-wife just as unhappy in her new marriage, and more.

No doubt there are some who would find this film rather manipulative. And to some extent, it is. The opening act is a bit rough at times as all the pieces get laid in place. The brooding son, angry ex-wife, and loner father begin all just a little too stereotypically; to borrow the metaphor of the film's title, a foundation is being laid for what's to come, and it's not without visible effort.

But things do gel in time, and then become very engaging. Once the characters all start to warm to each other, the emotions become genuine, and the situations relatable. By the final act, each twist in the story -- even if they are predictable -- lands true and powerful.

Whatever flaws may be in the script, the cast transcends them. All the acting in the movie is superb. Yes, that includes Hayden Christensen, who generally has given us no reason to think that his woodenness in the Star Wars prequels was solely George Lucas' fault. Mary Steenburgen, Jena Malone, and Kristin Scott Thomas are all exceptional. They start off a bit caricature-like, in the setting up of the movie, but once things pick up, each shines.

Then there's Kevin Kline in the leading role. Put simply, he makes the movie. He hits every beat with wonderful subtlety, never shoving the message in your face. He made me care completely and absolutely for his character within a matter of minutes, which was critical to the drama to come.

I rate the movie an A-. There are plenty of "bittersweet family dramas" out there, but in my opinion, this is one of the better ones.