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Life as a House

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Life as a House (2001)

46%
28%
81%
N/A
N/A
N/A
46 %
Reviews Counted: 100 Fresh: 46  Rotten:54 Average Rating: 5.2/10
 
Consensus: A manipulative tearjerker, Life as a House benefits from fine performances from the cast.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 2 hrs 4 mins

Theatrical Release: Oct 26, 2001 Limited

Box Office: $15,412,701

Synopsis: At 45, architect George Monroe (Kevin Kline) has lost sight of his dreams. Living in an inherited shack he had planned on rebuilding years ago, he sits high atop the Southern California coast without stopping to enjoy the view. Unfulfilled and miserable at his job, he works tirelessly while... At 45, architect George Monroe (Kevin Kline) has lost sight of his dreams. Living in an inherited shack he had planned on rebuilding years ago, he sits high atop the Southern California coast without stopping to enjoy the view. Unfulfilled and miserable at his job, he works tirelessly while losing his grip on his happiness and his estranged family: ex-wife Robin (Kristen Scott Thomas) and maladjusted son Sam (Hayden Christensen). But, in one day, the course of George's life changes forever. He is fired from his job and diagnosed with a terminal illness. Given only four months to live, George vows to accomplish his lifelong dream of building his dream house. He recruits his son's begrudging help for the summer. Over the course of the next few months, George attempts to mend his long-suffering relationship with the brooding and intense 16-year-old as they tear down the ramshackle shack and rebuild a monument to his dreams. While they work, the neighborhood watches in awe. The much maligned eyesore is transformed. Mary Steenburgen costars as next-door neighbor Colleen who engages in some free-spirited activities of her own while her daughter Alyssa (Jena Malone) helps to brighten Sam's summer. Finally, it is Robin who begins to see a change in George and feels herself drawn back into the life of her longtime ex. Together Robin and Sam help George fulfill his goal as he rebuilds his house (and his life) before it is too late. Kevin Kline delivers a fine-tuned performance that embodies an impressive range of emotion fueled by the witty and ultimately moving script from AS GOOD AS IT GETS screenwriter Mark Andrus. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, Hayden Christensen, Mary Steenburgen, Jena Malone

Director: Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter: Mark Andrus
Producer: Irwin Winkler, Rob Cowan
Composer: Mark Isham

DVD Info

Release:

Mar 26, 2002

[DVD Details]

Buy It On DVD

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2/5

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12/30/06
Empire Magazine
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Ratings Image
3/5

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12/06/05
Film Threat
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Ratings Image
2/4

Remember the movie Terms of Endearment, about a mother-daughter relationship, a terminal illness and a message about not taking people for granted?

Full Review | comment Comment
06/25/04
Judith Egerton
Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/15/03
Alexander Walker
This is London
N/R

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12/15/03
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]
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2/5

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03/10/03
Marrit Ingman
Austin Chronicle
Ratings Image
3/5

Thank goodness there are actors capable of delivering performances better than the scripts they're given. Too bad there aren't more of them in this movie.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online
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B+

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/17/02
Rebecca Murray
About.com
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3/5

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12/08/02
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

Life as a House is no cinematic masterpiece but it stays with you.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/26/02
Josh Gilchrist
Billings Outpost (Montana)
N/R

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11/22/02
Ebert & Roeper
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N/R

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11/06/02
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
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C

...the people who assembled Life as a House imagined it as a kind of American Beauty for the slightly more-literal-minded, for those who hated or felt baffled that film will likely like and apprehend this one.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/30/02
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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4/5

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10/30/02
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
N/R

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10/21/02
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
10/17/02
Stephen Himes
Film Snobs
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer
N/R

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10/10/02
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review
N/R

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08/17/02
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
N/R

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08/12/02
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
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Related Forums

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Is LIFE IS A HOUSE Kevin Kline's BEST movie ever?
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Film review: Sappy, but great!!
by: ryoma 7/31/03
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Pictures

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News

Winkler & Rubin Want to Deliver "A Perfect Divorce"
posted by Scott Weinberg June 02, 2005

Around the Network

• Life as a House at Rotten Tomatoes
• Life as a House at IGN
• Life as a House at AskMen
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