Filmmakers create acclaimed dramas focusing on immigrant experience
Two acclaimed dramas – “House of Sand and Fog” and “21 Grams” – are the top titles opening on this post-Christmas weekend. The new motion pictures (with release dates subject to change) scheduled to open today at a theater near you include:
? “The Barbarian Invasions”: A cancer-ridden divorced man (Remy Girard) learns that his ex-wife (Dorothee Berryman) plans to bring some of his ex-mistresses to his deathbed in an attempt to make him think of happier days and to ease his pain. Canadian filmmaker Denys Arcand (“The Decline of the American Empire”) directed the 99-minute import, rated R.
? “House of Sand and Fog”: A former Iranian military officer (Ben Kingsley of “Gandhi”) purchases the home of a bankrupt young woman (Jennifer Connelly of “A Beautiful Mind”). The immigrant refuses to allow her to repurchase the residence even after learning it was wrongly taken from her due to a governmental mistake. Tragedy follows in this dark 126-minute drama, which is rated R and based on the 1999 novel by Andre Dubus III. Vadim Perelman made his directing debut. Kingsley received a Golden Globe nomination as best actor in the drama category for his powerful performance.
? “21 Grams”: Sean Penn (“Mystic River”), Naomi Watts (“The Ring”) and Benicio Del Toro (“Traffic”) co-star as a sick college professor, a suburban mother and a born-again ex-con, respectively, in this R-rated tale dealing with three strangers whose very different lives intersect after a tragic accident. The title refers to the amount of weight a person loses at the time of his death. Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (“Amores Perros”) directed the 125-minute film, which marks his first English-language credit.
Dec. 25 is one of the biggest opening days of the year. Here’s a quick look at the films that arrived yesterday with Santa’s sleigh.
Opened Christmas Day
? “Big Fish”: During this colorful fable, rated PG-13, a grown son (Billy Crudup of “Sleepers”) never appreciated the tall tales told by his father (Albert Finney of “Annie”) until the dad is at death’s door and suddenly the stories no longer seem far-fetched. Ewan McGregor (“Moulin Rouge”) plays the father as an adventuresome young man who meets a number of eccentric characters, including a giant who accompanies him on a journey. Jessica Lange (“Tootsie”), Steve Buscemi (“Fargo”), Helena Bonham Carter (“Planet of the Apes”) and Danny DeVito (“The War of the Roses”) co-star. Tim Burton (“Edward Scissorhands”) directed.
? “Cheaper By the Dozen”: Steve Martin (“Parenthood”) and Bonnie Hunt (“Beethoven”) struggle to raise 12 children in this family friendly comedy. The PG-rated picture features teen favorites Hilary Duff (“The Lizzie McGuire Movie”) and Ashton Kutcher (“Dude, Where’s My Car?”). Shawn Levy (“Just Married”) directed.
? “Cold Mountain”: In this R-rated adaptation of North Carolina writer Charles Frazier’s novel, a Confederate veteran (Jude Law of “Road to Perdition”) injured during the Civil War deserts as the conflict comes to a close. He then struggles to return home and be reunited with his sweetheart (Nicole Kidman of “The Hours”), a woman who has learned how to fight to stay alive during the War Between the States. The supporting cast includes scene-stealing Renee Zellweger (“Chicago”), Phillip Seymour Hoffman (“Boogie Nights”) and Natalie Portman (“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace”). Anthony Minghella (“The English Patient”) directed.
? “Paycheck”: Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, this futuristic thriller stars Ben Affleck (“Gigli”) as a high-tech designer who discovers that some of his memory has been erased by the powerful company that employs him. Uma Thurman (“Kill Bill Vol. 1”), Aaron Eckhart (“The Core”) and Paul Giamatti (“American Splendor”) co-star in the PG-13 tale, which twists and turns in numerous directions. Hong Kong action specialist John Woo (“Face/Off”) directed.
? “Peter Pan”: In this PG-rated version of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale, young Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter of “Frailty”) grabs a sword, captivates Wendy (13-year-old newcomer Rachel Hurd-Wood) and leads the Lost Boys against the dastardly Captain Hook (Jason Isaacs of “The Patriot”). Director P.J. Hogan (“My Best Friend’s Wedding”) has employed cutting-edge digital effects to bring the adventures faced by Peter and Tinker Bell (Ludivine Sagnier of “Swimming Pool”) to realistic life.