My genres of choice are action and comedy, but the action has to be realistic, and the comedy funny, like What About Bob? When I sat down to watch The House of Sand and Fog, I was leery of this "drama" and expected a sleeper. I was pleasantly surprised by a riveting tale with two protagonists, who are also one in the same as the two antagonists. The difficulty seems to have no clear cut "good guy" and "bad guy" so one continues watching trying to figure out who to root for.

Ben Kingsley plays an Iranian General in the Shah's government who is wealthy and honored in his country, and devout to God for all blessings, large and small. When the Ayatollah comes to power he and his family escape with nothing but their lives and a handful of their precious possessions. This hard-working, iron-fisted man's man is reduced from high society of Iran, with multiple residences and honor among men, to slaving away at multiple menial jobs in California, attempting to save enough money to start working toward regaining the lifestyle his family is used to. We see an honorable man reduced to dishonor, and a strong man doing what it takes to regain his honor.

Jennifer Connelly plays a woman divorced from a husband we never meet, and estranged from a family we never meet. She is in depression and hasn't done much of anything for months when we meet her. When a knock comes at the door she must clear a pile of unopened, unread mail to answer. It is the police, evicting her from her home, which was given to her by her father, and the loss of which comes as a great surprise.

The rest of the movie centers on the conflict between Connelly and Kingsley over the house. It is a symbol of life to both of them, in a relationship in which one must die that the other might live, yet they both hang on for their own lives. One hopes for a sane outcome, then other characters come into play as wildcards bringing the fragile relationships to blows.

As a case study in the lengths to which people will go to preserve their own lives, I recommend this book and movie. As a light-hearted "date flick," stay as far away from this as possible. If you're looking for an involving story that will mess with your mind, by all means jump in.

This review was written by Russell Mann. You can find more excellent perspective on books, movies, art, and music at his blog. This review of The House of Sand and Fog can be found on his blog as well.