The Architect (2006)

Director:

Matt Tauber

Writers:

David Greig (writer)
Matt Tauber (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes You Need to Tear Down to Build Up

Plot:

An architect engages in conflict with an activist who lives in a dangerous complex the architect designed.

Plot Keywords:

Architect | Tank Top

Cast

Anthony LaPaglia	...	Leo Waters
Viola Davis	...	Tonya Neely
Isabella Rossellini	...	Julia Waters
Hayden Panettiere	...	Christina Waters
Sebastian Stan	...	Martin Waters
Paul James	...	Shawn
Serena Reeder	...	Cammie Neely
Walton Goggins	...	Joe
Malcolm Goodwin	...	Big Tim
Marsha Stephanie Blake	...	Missy Neely
Lauren Hodges	...	Jill
Duane McLaughlin	...	Josh Freeman
Julius Tennon	...	Arthur Freeman
Eisa Davis	...	Linda Freeman
James O'Toole	...	Kenny

Also Known As:

All Fall Down (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

USA:82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:M | Finland:K-13

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Sly Dog Films

Trivia:

According to Hayden Panettiere, Christina Waters' first appearance in the movie was her favorite scene to film because - unlike Christina - she *always* feels confident and comfortable in a bathing suit.

Goofs:

Continuity: Martin is wearing a Richard Nixon t-shirt during his first trip to the low income housing development. Upon his return to the projects to meet Shawn, Martin is seen entering the building's doorway wearing the same Nixon t-shirt; but when the two boys are shown on the roof of the building, Martin's t-shirt has changed to one of a solid color although he has not changed clothes.

Boring dysfunction.

Given the themes of this movie, it is particularly sad that it is such a boring and plodding exercise in poor film-making. The cast seems either drugged or not drugged enough, with the exceptions of Paul James as Shawn and Walton Goggins as Joe, who seemed to be breathing at least. The staging and lighting were horrific. The make-up and wardrobe were worse. The writing was stilted and paced for a depressed tortoise. Anthony LaPaglia did not seem the same actor who has done so many good roles. Isabella Rossellini appeared to have been injected with Botox and walked/talked like a robot. The soundtrack was the most annoying thing about the film. It was like Philip Glass on downers at the piano. Fingernails on a chalk board. Perhaps the portrayal of a really broken down housing project in a big city was accurate. But it seems quite pathetic that that element was the redeeming part of the movie, doesn't it? Glancing references are made to insanity, incest, child molestation, and homophobic rape. As in "Oh, by the way...." The DVD I watched had an interview with the writer/director who proudly spoke of the embellishments he made to the original play. It's scary to think he thought the movie was better than the original play.