House of Sand and Fog

Some fine performers act up a storm in this real-estate drama. Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly is Kathy, an alcoholic recovering from a broken relationship and ignoring her mail. Unbeknownst to her, an important tax bill has gone unpaid, and the county takes over her house for auction. When Behrani (Ben Kingsley) swoops in and takes her house off the market for a song, lots of bickering ensues, followed by a surprising amount of deaths. The movie, based on the novel by Andre Dubus, feels a bit silly at times, but it sure does look great, and the cast stays above the mediocre material. Kingsley is especially good as a man determined to find a better life for his immigrant family, unaware that he has put that family at risk. Ron Eldard is good as a well-meaning police officer who, despite being sensitive and willing to help Connelly’s character, may be a touch insane. Worth seeing for the performances.