House of Sand and Fog film review

Review

Cast & crew

House of Sand and Fog

(2003)

Andre Dubus III's bestselling novel is transformed into a richly textured tale of dreams and obsession in this heartbreaking drama from first-time director Vadim Perelman. Revolving around a formidable Oscar-nominated turn by Ben Kingsley, the slow-burning film tells the story of a former Iranian colonel reduced to working menial jobs in the US. Desperate to return his family to the prosperity they once knew, he spends his life's savings on the repossessed home of recovering addict Jennifer Connelly, only to come into tragic confrontation with the woman over the property. Drawing on his own experience as an immigrant, Perelman paints a vivid and moving picture of cultural alienation and desperation. Though the feature occasionally lacks balance, portraying Americans as largely unsympathetic and immigrants as vulnerable, it redeems itself by focusing on the emotional similarities between Kingsley and Connelly's characters. If Connelly looks too well groomed for her tortured role, it certainly doesn't spoil her overall strong performance, while Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jonathan Ahdout are wonderful as Kingsley's wife and son. SF

Contains swearing.

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Running time

121mins

Country of origin

US / UK

Genre

Drama

Original language

English

Screenplay

Vadim Perelman, Shawn Lawrence Otto, from the novel by Andre Dubus III

Theatrical distributor

Buena Vista

UK cinema certificate

UK cinema release date

February 2004

UK video release date

August 2004




awards information


	Award	Category	Name	Nominee/Winner

	Academy 2003	Actor in a Leading Role	Ben Kingsley	Nominee
	Academy 2003	Actress in a Supporting Role	Shohreh Aghdashloo	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2003	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama	Ben Kingsley	Nominee