A Home at the End of the World (2004)

How sad is this?

Did you people see the same film I saw?

Beautiful, moving film.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

"Remember your very best friend in high school, the one who knew… and kept… all your secrets? Bobby and Jonathan, who shared that kind of friendship, meet again as adults in New York. Sparked by their relationship with free-spirited Clare, they forge a loving unit that redefines 'family'. Colin Farrell, Robin Wright Penn, Sissy Spacek and Dallas Roberts star in this lyrical film that's both a celebration of commitment and a music - and memory-driven portrait of America in the '70s and '80s. Adapted by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham from his own novel, 'A Home at the End of the World' strikes close to home as an adventure as big as life itself: risky, surprising, sexually charged and real," according to sleeve scribers...That description, while not entirely inaccurate, hints at how "A Home at the End of the World" fails to achieve its full potential. The film isn't altogether a "memory-driven portrait" of family and music over the decades covered; indeed, it is a portrait of an unconventional family unit, but that should have remained secondary. At heart, this is a love (the kind including a sexual attraction) story between the Bobby and Jonathan characters, possibly deemphasized to make it more palatable. The focus unravels, especially after Mr. Farrell's adult Bobby take over the action. The film draws its fault line by losing touch with the central relationship, and Farrell's characterization goes off course. Freed-from-the-wig Colin Farrell and Dallas Roberts could have recorded a hit version of "Look Out, Cleveland" with The Band backing...The casting is excellent, with Erik Smith and Harris Allan especially winning as the teenage Bobby and Jonathan; they blend perfectly with the grown-up Farrell and Mr. Roberts. Note that criticisms of Farrell in the lead role are of characterization, not acting. Smith's Bobby was played as a self-assured and sexual adventurous young man, but Farrell's Bobby is suddenly an asexual puppy dog; something is missing. We begin with an uncommonly artistic story, from Mr. Cunningham's novel. Cunningham worked on the film; a double edged sword, for it reveals not only tantalizing bits of his artistic vision, but also invites criticism regarding its execution. The fine original story is still evident on film, and some cinematic moments give the material emotional strength...A highlight occurs when Smith and Allan become "brothers" by exchanging jackets; most importantly, the jacket worn by Bobby belonged to his brother, and he symbolically replaces Carlton (a sexually-charged Ryan Donowho) with Jonathan. This is a circular story. Note we begin with "Bobby" walking in on his brother having sex with a young woman (on top); this scene is recalled when he walks in on his replacement brother, again with a woman (on top). In both instances, Bobby winds up in bed with brother. There is no evidence of incest, but the opening brother/brother relationship appears extremely intimate, as does the later relationship between Bobby and replacement "mother" Alice (an easily potted Sissy Spacek). This story is about replacing lost love. We end with a full circle...******* A Home at the End of the World (6/9/04) Michael Mayer ~ Colin Farrell, Dallas Roberts, Robin Wright, Sissy Spacek

This movie disturbed me. The relationship with these two guys was dangerous and heart wrenching.The gay guy truly loved this other guy. But Colin used him and teased him when he wanted too.Then when they finally grow up and they move in together. Colin starts up with using him and teasing him - you know with the dancing and kissing and touching - something the gay man wanted from Colin for the longest time - then what does Colin do - fall in love with the weired fag hag they are living with. Then Colin does the unthinkable and sleeps with said fag hag - just as the gay man is coming home. Brilliant. Well of course the end result of the movie turned out exactly the way I thought it would. I'm not going to tell you here - but. At the end - I said out loud - so everyone could hear me - I said "Typical". And I got a lot of head nods and "MM-MMHM's" from the other movie goers.Typical ending, just like all of the other gay themed movies I have seen. The gay person is either beat to death, dies of a disease - or winds up alone, like always.

This has to be one of the best movies I have ever seen. The first time I saw this movie I just stayed in awe. This movie gives you every feeling that a person can probably get. Colin Farrell is an amazing actor on this movie, the ways that Bobby thinks is somewhat similar as some people think but there is one part that just makes you see how much of a kid he still is. Another thing about Bobby is how he had to grow up without any parents or siblings around, instead he went into another family and pretended that that was his family Sissy Spacek again wonderful acting, it's really sad how in one part of the movie she just wants to be hugged by a strong man. This movie is basically #1 on my charts and I hope it will be on yours too.

*A SPOILER At The End Of The World* Young Bobby loses slowly, one by one, his older brother, mother, and father, and is adopted by his best friend, Jonathan Glover,'s family, where he is welcomed almost like a second son by Jonathan's parents and... more, by Jonathan, a fact that his mother (Sissy Spacek) can't fail to notice.Cue a few years later; Bobby (Colin Farrell) is now an adult, working in the Glovers' bakery, and decides to go visit Jonathan (Dallas Roberts), who now has come out, in NYC. He meets him and his friend Clare (Robin Wright Penn), who is hopelessly in love with Jonathan, and the three end up forming an unconventional kind of family...I haven't read the book yet, but this movie is clearly one of a kind, with the magnetic and trustful performance of Colin Farrell as the center; he nails perfectly a very difficult character, which hasn't lost his idealism, his goodness and the ability to love the world, even if it doesn't deserve it.Warner Independent scores another 10/10 (after the one for 'Around The Bend') for this movie. Clearly 2004 was a great year for them! I hope 'We Don't Live Here Anymore' is as good as these two movies have been...A Home At The End Of The World: 10/10.