Life as a House
When a man is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he takes custody of his misanthropic teenage son, for whom quality time means getting high, engaging in small-time prostitution, and avoiding his father.
Critics Sentiment
Sam puts Christmas lights on unfinished house for George
Sam refuses to help and considers prostitution with Josh
The film recovers dramatically from Sam's poorly received early characterization to the emotionally powerful Christmas lights sequence, jumping 4.5 points.
Life as a House starts shakily with critics finding Sam's character stereotypical and the setup predictable, but gains emotional power as the father-son relationship develops through house construction. The film peaks with Sam's Christmas lights gesture and maintains strong sentiment through George's death and the resolution, despite some criticism of contrived elements.
Full cast
Kevin Kline
George Monroe
Hayden Christensen
Sam Monroe
Kristin Scott Thomas
Robin Kimball
Jena Malone
Alyssa Beck
Mary Steenburgen
Colleen Beck
Ian Somerhalder
Josh
Jamey Sheridan
Peter Kimball
Scott Bakula
Officer Kurt Walker
Sandra Nelson
Nurse
Sam Robards
David Dokos
Mike Weinberg
Adam Kimball
Scotty Leavenworth
Ryan Kimball
John Pankow
Bryan Burke
Kim Delgado
Bob Larson
Barry Primus
Tom
Margo Winkler
Barbara
Jon Foster
Corey
Crew
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