House of Sand and Fog
Seen it?2003 | 126 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (74% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Requiem for a Dream, start here.
- The mood
- Emotional (bring tissues).
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 6 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
Behrani, an Iranian immigrant buys a California bungalow, thinking he can fix it up, sell it again, and make enough money to send his son to college. However, the house is the legal property of former drug addict Kathy. After losing the house in an unfair legal dispute with the county, she is left with nowhere to go. Wanting her house back, she hires a lawyer and befriends a police officer. Neither Kathy nor Behrani have broken the law, so they find themselves involved in a difficult moral dilemma.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Independent Spirit Awards: Best Supporting Female. Also nominated for 3 Oscars, 1 Golden Globe and 2 more Independent Spirit Awards. Plus 4 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$17 million worldwide on a $17 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 123K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Requiem for a Dream
Friday Night FlickAlso stars Jennifer Connelly, in another much-loved drama.
The Towering Inferno Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Escape from Alcatraz Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama that fewer people know today.
Beautiful Boy Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Vadim Perelman
- Jennifer ConnellyKathy
- Ben KingsleyBehrani
- Ron EldardLester
- Frances FisherConnie Walsh
- Kim DickensCarol Burdon
- Shohreh AghdashlooNadi
- Jonathan AhdoutEsmail
- Navi RawatSoraya
- Kia JamAli
- Carlos GómezLt. Alvarez