I saw this movie for the first time last night on PayPerView, although it was originally released in 2001. What a wonderful film… full of real and imperfect characters, the gutwrenching twists and turns of true life, humor, humanity… something for everyone, and several clear messages we can all come away with. I absolutely loved it…
Storyline
George Monroe is a lonely and sad man. Divorced for ten years, he lives alone on the Southern California coast with his pet dog in the same run down shack he has lived in for twenty-five years, the shack which his father passed down to him. In the intervening years, ostentatious houses have sprung up around him. He’s been at the same architectural firm for twenty years in a job he hates, which primarily consists of building scale models. On the day that he is fired from his job, he is diagnosed with an advanced case of terminal cancer, which he chooses not to disclose to his family. In many ways, this day is the happiest of his recent life in that he decides to spend what little time he has left doing what he really wants to do, namely build a house he can call his own to replace the shack. He also wants his rebellious sixteen year old son, Sam Monroe, to live with him for the summer, hopefully not only to help in the house construction… Written by Huggo
This description is only the beginning…
CAST: Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, Hayden Christensen, Jena Malone, Mary Steenburgen
I've not seen that movie – or even heard of it – but you've got me intrigued. I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. I'd like to see more of the house you described – I bet it is amazing.
This sounds like an excellent movie, Karen. Your review was great. I have to see if Amazon has it.
xoxo
Jane
Sounds like a good movie. I have always like Kevin Kline. Will I need tissue???
I haven't heard of it either Karen! Will have to check it out…it sounds terrific based on your review!!
I have been wanting to rent this, and now I will add it to my Netflix account! Thanks for the reminder! Now that I watch movies instantly on my computer I can pick whatever I want while Mr. Tide is busy doing other computer things on his machine!
Kat 🙂
I loved this movie, it was kind of a sleeper hit if I remember correctly. I'd forgotten all about it. The little tidbits were interesting, thanks for sharing.
I will have to order this up on Netflix after reading your review! Good cast and great plot!
I remember thinking that this sounded like a good movie when it came out…then forgot about it:) Will have to Netflix it with a review this good!
I am pretty sure we saw that movie since we go almost every week and have for many years. May have to watch it again.
This is a movie I had always planned to see but never have. Must check pay per view tonite and see if it's on here too! Thanks for jogging my memory!!
Di
OMG….i think we blogged about this at the same time 🙂
it is just the best movie….and with a teenage son who has been a handful this past year….well, you can imagine how emotional it was when we saw it this time.