Life as a House 2001

Life as a House

Critics Consensus

A manipulative tearjerker, Life as a House benefits from fine performances from the cast.

47%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 105

88%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 57,068

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Life as a House Photos

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Movie Info

"Life as a House" is the poignant, often humorous journey of one man who decides to tear down his house -- and winds up rebuilding the world around him. From the day he picks up his sledgehammer, George Monroe embarks on a grand adventure that will shatter expectations and build a foundation for many different dreams among his family and neighbors.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Drug Use|Sexuality)
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Irwin Winkler
  • Producer:
    Rob Cowan, Irwin Winkler
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $15.6M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Winkler Films
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Kevin Kline
George
Kristin Scott Thomas
Robin
Hayden Christensen
Sam
Jena Malone
Alyssa
Mary Steenburgen
Coleen
Mike Weinberg
Adam
Scotty Leavenworth
Ryan
Ian Somerhalder
Josh
Jamey Sheridan
Peter
Scott Bakula
Kurt Walker
Irwin Winkler
Director
Mark Andrus
Writer
Rob Cowan
Producer
Irwin Winkler
Producer
Brian E. Frankish
Executive Producer
Lynn Harris
Executive Producer
Michael De Luca
Executive Producer
Vilmos Zsigmond
Cinematographer
J. Dennis Washington
Production Designer
Julie Monroe
Film Editor
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News & Interviews for Life as a House

Check Out Milla’s New "Evil" Pic
Winkler & Rubin Want to Deliver "A Perfect Divorce"
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Critic Reviews for Life as a House

All Critics (105) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (56)

View All Critic Reviews (105)

Audience Reviews for Life as a House

  • Apr 02, 2011
    Not overly moving, but a dramatic tale of contemporary family life all the same.
    CivilZen H Super Reviewer
  • Oct 04, 2010
    George is having a bad year. Divorced, alone, estranged from his loser son, behind the times, he has no motivation. Then in the same day he gets fired and finds out he has terminal cancer. What a start to a movie! I enjoy this sort of movie - as George is dying, he resolves his issues with his ex-wife and son, Sam. Sam is having a tough time of it as well - needing drugs just to get by and withdrawing from the world. With the help of Alyssa, Sam helps his dad build a house and becomes less self-centred.
    Red L Super Reviewer
  • Sep 05, 2010
    I am a big fan of Kevin Kline, and I think that this is one of his best movies. Very moving, and very well done. Great for anyone who likes a good drama.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Apr 25, 2010
    A moving story of a man determined to reestablish a connection to his troubled teenage son and his ex-wife and of his determination to leave a legacy before dying. Kevin Kline does some brilliant work here as George a man who finds out he has cancer on the day he gets released from the job he has held for twenty years. Kristen Scott Thomas as the ex, Robin is equally brilliant. Her character, a frustrated mother and an ignored wife, engendered sympathy and her ambivalence over reconnecting to her ex was totally believable. But, without, the performance of Hayden Christiansen as Sam, the troubled teen, this would have been a much less gripping tale. Watching him grow up, and become ready to take his place in the world is what made this special. Jena Malone as the free-spirited girl-next-door, Alyssa, and Mary Steenburgen as Alyssa's mom were excellent in supporting roles as was the rest of the supporting cast. The scenery, on the California coast, was gorgeous. The cinematography breathtaking, and the story had one laughing one minute and weeping the next. A brilliant film that had all the right elements to make it memorable.
    Mark A Super Reviewer
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