A Home at the End of the World

Starring: Colin Farrell, Robin Wright Penn, Dallas Roberts, Sissy Spacek, Matt Frewer

Directed by: Michael Mayer

RS: 3of 4 Stars Average User Rating: 3.5of 4 Stars

2004 Adult

It might take a bit to adjust to wild Irish boyo Colin Farrell playing Bobby Morrow, a twentysomething virgin who moves from Cleveland to New York to live with his gay friend Jonathan (newcomer Dallas Roberts is a genuine find) and Clare (a vivid Robin Wright Penn), the wiggy bohemian hatmaker Jonathan is shacked up with. But adjust you will, since Farrell's astutely judged portrayal -- he finds the crucial streak of manipulation in Bobby's sweetness -- is a career highlight. Stage director Michael Mayer (Side Man) makes a striking debut in film, and his skill with the actors is often breathtaking. Sissy Spacek triumphs in the supporting role of Jonathan's suburban mother. In a childhood flashback, she discovers the boys smoking grass and listening to Laura Nyro's lush "Desiree" and joins them as if discovering a new world. Spacek's revelatory performance (hello, Oscar) is typical of the film's eye for detail as Bobby, Jonathan and Clare make up their own definition of family. In adapting his 19TK novel to the screen, Michael Cunningham (The Hours) must condense a story that moves from 1967 to the 1980s AIDS era into a sometimes rushed ninety minutes. But how many movies these days leave you wanting more? The funny and heartfelt Home is a small treasure.

PETER TRAVERS

(Posted: Jul 23, 2004)

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A Home at the End of the World

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4of 4 Stars

The film was very good and obviously indie-inspired but was too good to miss. I think the dynamics were intruiging. Colin Farrell was no match for Sissy Spasek, Robin-Wright Penn or Dallas Roberts, but the film was good.

Dec 13, 2007 05:17:18

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