A Home at the End of the World (2004)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Michael Mayer

Writers (WGA):

Michael Cunningham (novel)
Michael Cunningham (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 October 2004 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Family can be whatever you want it to be.

Plot:

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Hours" comes a story that chronicles a dozen years in...

Plot Keywords:

New York City | New York | 1980s | Childhood Friend | Love Triangle

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Andrew Chalmers	...	Bobby Morrow (1967)
Ryan Donowho	...	Carlton Morrow
Asia Vieira	...	Emily
Quancetia Hamilton	...	Dancing Party Guest
Jeff J.J. Authors	...	Frank (as Jeffrey Authors)
Lisa Merchant	...	Frank's Date
Ron Lea	...	Burt Morrow
Erik Smith	...	Bobby Morrow (1974)
Harris Allan	...	Jonathan Glover (1974)
Matt Frewer	...	Ned Glover
Sissy Spacek	...	Alice Glover
Colin Farrell	...	Bobby Morrow (1982)
Dallas Roberts	...	Jonathan Glover (1982)
Robin Wright Penn	...	Clare
Shawn Roberts	...	Club Boy

MPAA:

Rated R for strong drug content, sexuality, nudity, language and a disturbing accident.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:R21 | UK:15 | USA:R | Australia:MA | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Hart-Sharp Entertainment

Trivia:

Is an adaptation from Michael Cunningham's 1990 novel of the same name, which in turn was expanded from a short story entitled "White Angel", published in the New Yorker in 1988.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Claire is running away from her friends into the desert, the bushes wiggle twice as the cameraman passes by.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[Emily is having sex with Carlton and sees Bobby in the doorway]
Emily: Oh my god!
Carlton Morrow: Come on, Em, Bobby doesn't care!
Emily: I care!
Carlton Morrow: Just relax!
Emily: Kiss my ass!

Movie Connections:

References Sunset Blvd. (1950)

Soundtrack:

It's Gonna Take a Miracle

Evocative of a time and the need to belong

I was profoundly touched by the film, but I can see why people needing a strong linear narrative might be left feeling incomplete.

The tagline doesn't quite capture the key to the film-- it's not precisely about redefining family-- I suspect the marketing folks thought that would resound with a likely target audience. (Like the Frameline GLBT Film Festival in SF.) To me it's about the need to belong-- to find a place in this world and then take that ride. The struggle is to find equilibrium with all the surprises that may come one's way.

Although the movie has its share of sadnesses, there are also quiet triumphs. In an odd way, this film touches some of the same chords as the far more eccentric "The World According To Garp" and "Cider House Rules."

To the director's and screenwriter's credit, they resisted the temptation to pack too much onto the film. I found the characterizations just specific enough. Fine performances from all. Beautifully established in youth.

The film trusts both your intelligence and intuition to carry you through the trip. Don't see this if you're hungering for car chases!