House of Sand and Fog (DVD, 2004)

I bought the movie because I read the book first and thought it was well written with interesting characters. The movie follows the book quite closely and only leaves out those portions that are mostly irrelevant anyway. I knew it would be a dark story and so was better prepared for the events as they unfolded than a viewer who hadn't already read it. I saw the movie more as a dramatization of a story I already knew and so I found it fascinating and well-cast from that perspective. I thought that Ben Kingsley's portrayal of the stubborn Iranian military officer trying to find his way as an immigrant in American society (after being forced to flee his own country) especially compelling. I agree that the ending is shattering but to tie up this story in a neat little bow would have been equally dissatisfying.

This movie was recommended to me by a friend who likes "deep" movies, and I definitely found it to be thought-provoking, disturbing and memorable (I watched it more than a year ago and I still can't stop pondering it.) The acting was well-done and that part of the movie deserves more than the 3 stars I gave it overall.

Having said that, this is not an enjoyable movie. It is downright depressing. If you are looking for a movie that ends with everything neatly resolved, this is not it. If you are looking for a movie with a happy ending, this is not it either. Be warned.

This is one of Ben kingsley best movies.Do not see much of jennifer connelly but both shined. I got very angry at jennifer. I believe that the house was legally Bens and his family. I kept thinking get a job jennifer or go home to your mother. The ending was so sad and then she says the house is not hers. Wow I thought why say that now when through the whole movie it was hers. This is a must see movie.

It is a complete great movie, you can't predict the ending and you can't chose what side you are on, I recommended it to anyone who enjoys an impacting ending.

Wow, what a movie. Excellent. Well cast, great story, and very hard to look away from. Highly recommended

I can't believe I haven't watched this movie before now. The actors are top notch. The story is centered around a family home and several key characters in relation to the the home. It is certainly not a feel good chick flick. The story of immigration and frustration. The videography is amazing. I wanted to pause the screen several times just the focus on what the images were trying to foreshadow or story it tells. This is a powerful movie. Some people may think that it is dry but for me it was gripping and a strong look into sociology in times of turmoil.

Great Movie. A must see, you should buy this movie, it is a great buy. You will not be disappointed.

This has to be the most depressing movie that I have ever seen--right up there with "Sophie's Choice." But it is a great movie--especially the performances and setting. Further, it is a most horrible lesson for all of us who value possessions more than our families and love for others.

The movie starts with Kathy Nicolo (Jennifer Connelly) being awakened by California county officials who are evicting her from her beach house near San Francisco for nonpayment of a business tax. Depressed and in a terrible mood because her husband abandoned her, she had responded to the County because she does NOT have a business but ignored further correspondence that had been sent to her. So, she does get evicted but makes friends with the cop, Lester Burdon (Ron Eldard).

Quickly, the house is bought by Massoud Behrani (Ben Kingsley), an Iranian colonel who had come to the United States after the Shah of Iran was deposed, for a fraction of what it is worth due to its auction for the taxes. He moves his wife Nadi (Shohreh Aghdashiloo)and teenage son Esmail into the house, planning to sell it in the autumn for a big profit. You have to understand that this former colonel is now working two physically hard jobs--one on a road construction crew and a second job in a gas station/grocery. He is so humiliated that he stops everyday in a public restroom to change into a business suit before going home to his family.

Although Kathy sees a lawyer about getting the house back and Massoud is just as determined to keep it, we see the two opposing parties fight it out and then meld together in tragedy to the utmost. You will need more than Kleenex for this movie--try Prozac.

Even innocent people are drawn into this tornado. Lester the cop, who is bored with his wife and 2 kids, eventually becomes Kathy's friend and then lover. He pays for it. Nadi also becomes friends with Kathy and just does not understand what is going on. But she does understand the word "deportation" when that word is placed on the table.

This movie was nominated for 3 Academy Awards: Ben Kingsley for Best Actor, Shohreh Aghdashloo for Best Supporting Actress, and Best Musical Score. It won none.

You will not leave this movie feeling great. However, you will be so captivated by it that you will forget your own problems!

sick of paying retail for great movies, finding it on e-bay is much easier and less expensive by far.
This movie is great and lets everyone know there are many more problems in the world that are worse than yours.

I read the book and was interested in how the movie was compared to the book. I liked the movie very much and I am glad I purchased this on E-bay...Great price and great item I won.........

This is an incredible movie. I bought it because it reminds me that sometimes we human beings are so caught up in our own drama that we fail to remember that we all have drama. That even though we think we know or assume what is going on in someone elses life we DON'T! If we all took the time to step out of ourselves and look at situations through the others eyes we would avoid making huge mistakes and it would clearly bring about more tolerance and unconditional love.The acting is supurb as well

Watching this movie, it doesn't take long before you realize you're seeing an Oscar nomination in the making for Ben Kingsley. (At least; Tthe writer-director, Vadim Perelman, should also receive one or more.) For want of a nail, the horse was lost, and in this movie, for want of a house, dreams were lost. No one manages to escape unscathed, and ultimately, neither does anyone in the audience. Bring Kleenex, and gird yourself to be gut-punched when you realize that all the things we think are so very important don't ultimately matter.

EXCELLENT BOOK by Andre Dubus III....Very Good movie with a dark and sad intensity. Makes the audience wonder what change of fate would have happened if the characters had never met one another. This is a movie worth watching more than once or twice. Superb acting by Ben Kingsley, the wife, and Jennifer Connelly.
*Storyline kept to the book except for the very end.