Movie illustrates what is important in life: love not money

If you were told that you had six months to live what would you do?  Would you wallow in self-pity and just let the time pass? Or would you try to accomplish all you dreamed of before you died? “Life as a House” explores these questions, with Kevin Kline starring as George Monroe.

The plot jumps straight into George getting fired from his architecture job of twenty years.  He storms out of the office and collapses on the sidewalk. He is diagnosed with terminal cancer, then wastes his first few days doing nothing but sitting in his rundown house.

He spends time re-evaluating his life and accomplishments, and plans to use his last months to turn his life around.

He begins by destroying every memory of his abusive father, including tearing down the house he inherited from his father.

George realizes he hasn’t been the best father to his son Sam, played by Hayden Christenson.  Sam is wasting his life with drugs, alcohol, and prostitution and George wants to create a bond with his son before it’s too late.

Together they begin to rebuild the house, as George hopes they to learn love and friendship. Sam refuses to aid his father in any way. Later, he meets Alyssa Beck, played by Jena Malone, and his heart and attitude change.

Through the process, Sam sobers up   and walks away from prostitution for good.  He learns to love someone and  while creating a better relationship with his father. The two work together to build their perfect house.

Kristen Scott Thomas plays Robin Kimball, Sam’s mother and George’s ex-wife. Impressed, she watches as  Sam transforms into a better person. Seeing how George has influenced this, she  joins the construction.

Others from the area learn of George’s condition as it worsens. Within  a short period of time, more than fifty people  go to help George complete his final dream.

Ultimately George realizes the similarities between building and maintaining relationships and the efforts required to construct a house.

This film is a heartwarming story about overcoming the difficulties of life.  The threat of imminent death pushes George to become a better person while  becoming the loving father that he lacked as a child.

“Life as a House” encourages viewers to evaluate their lives. This movie illustrates that life is not about careers or money, but about the relationships and memories made with the people we love.