Mystic River/House of Sand and Fog
Are you all ready to get down? Not in a funky way, but down, as in way depressed? Well, you’re in luck because these next two films should just about do it for you: Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River and Vadim Perelman’s House of Sand and Fog. Both are based on acclaimed novels and both are super heavy downers.
Eastwood’s River centers on the relationship between three friends from the outskirts of Boston: Sean, David and Jimmy. As children, Jimmy and Sean watch as their friend David is kidnapped right off the street where they play and sexually abused for days before escaping. As adults, the horror of that moment has never really left them. Sean (Kevin Bacon) is a cop estranged from his wife, Jimmy (Sean Penn) is an ex-con running a grocery store in the neighborhood, and David (Tim Robbins) is married and raising a young son. Somewhat estranged for years, they are brought together again when Sean’s daughter Katie is murdered and David turns out to be the prime suspect.
That’s a thumbnail sketch of the story. Mr. Eastwood fills the film with details that help establish plot and mood. A stellar cast that includes Mr. Bacon, Mr. Penn and Mr. Robbins as well as Laurence Fishburne as Sean’s partner, Laura Linney as Jimmy’s wife, and Marica Gay Harden as David’s wife, ably assists him. I wish that they gave Oscars to ensemble casts because it’s too difficult to single one person out in a piece like this. The majority of what makes all these performances great is not what the actors say, but what they manage to convey without even speaking. The film’s final scene, staged during a neighborhood parade, is a perfect example of this. With a minimum of dialogue, this scene created a sense of sadness and anger in me unlike any film has done all year. It’s genius filmmaking, plain and simple. For my money, this is the film to beat in the Oscar race. It really is the best picture of the year in terms of cinematography, acting, script, and direction.
Just as emotionally devastating, but not as realistic, is Vadim Perelman’s House of Sand and Fog. Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley star in this adaptation of Andre Dubus III’s novel about two people engaged in a power struggle over the title dwelling. Ms. Connelly plays Kathy Nicolo, a recovering addict who loses her house due to a bureaucratic mistake. Compounding the issue is that the house is eventually sold to a former Iranian general named Behrani, played by Mr. Kingsley, whose family has been living above their means since their arrival in America. Behrani sees this as an opportunity to make a large amount of cash as well as recapture some of the happier times he had in Iran. When Kathy confronts the General about the house, it sets off a tragic chain of events.
There are some problems with the film. Kathy is given a love interest, a sheriff named Burdon (Ron Eldard) who leaves his wife and family for her. However, their relationship seems to develop out of nowhere and seems to be more of a plot device than a genuine occurrence. Also, things spin wildly out of control about 25 minutes or so from the end that it strains any credibility the film had build up to that point. But these things are far outweighed by the top notch acting and directing. Connelly, Kingsley and Shohreh Aghdashloo as Behrani’s long suffering wife all give compelling performances. In particular, Kingsley dominates the film with a performance that combines steely intent and indignant anger. It’s quite a feat.
First time writer/director Vadim Perelman makes an assured debut as both co-writer and director. He seems comfortable with the choices he’s made behind the camera. He is aided by a great cinematographer, Roger Deakins, whose work has been featured in every Coen Brothers’ movie since Miller’s Crossing. His simple shots of the titular house enshrouded in fog are incredible, making an inanimate object become a central and important component of the film.
House of Sand and Fog may not be as perfect as Mystic River, but it deserves to be considered in the Oscar race, especially Mr. Kingsley’s performance. House is not in wide release like River, so you’ll have to look harder for a theatre playing it. But if you want to witness one of the best performances of 2003, it will be worth it.
Submitted 04 February 04. Posted 12 April 04.
