"House of Sand and Fog" is by far the finest film I've seen this year, and probably the best I've seen since the dial turned from the 1990's into the new millennium.

Vadim Perelman makes a movie so astoundingly beautiful that one has to think he's been doing this for years, but this is his first film. Set in a fog-drenched Southern California community, Perelman sets two immoveable forces apart from each other -- Cathy, a recovering alcoholic burdened by the memory of her late father, still trying to prove that she is a responsible person in his eyes, and Behrani, a colonel driven out of Iran with his family and desperately trying to maintain a life of stability and promise. In these two roles, Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley give steely performances, each presenting troubled souls trapped within stubborn facades. Connelly once again gives a masterful performance, balancing a reckless sensuality with the desire to find acceptance and love within anything, even a house where the memories have become so painful that the mail becomes too much to take.

Kingsley, of course, is perfect. The subtleties of his facial expressions when presented with moments of joy and frustration are masterfully restrained. This is his best performance of his illustrious career.

When Kingsley and Connelly finally clash, halfway through the movie, the movie, having until then been a paean to silence and unspoken loyalties, becomes a terrifying thriller, riveting everyone with whom I saw the picture. Perelman moves from a mood piece to a suspenseful drama effortlessly. A jaw-dropping conclusion completes a powerful, unbelievably sad piece of work.

After a couple years of not finding a movie that stirred me, this is it, what we all look for in movies -- a harrowing story, beautifully filmed, cathartic and elegant. Joy is very difficult to spot in the film, but "House of Sand and Fog" provides the joy we get when being moved to powerful emotions by a wonderful symphony.

My best film of 2003 -- unquestionably 10/10.

SEE THIS MOVIE!! I saw this movie by happenstance, it turned out to be one of the most satisfying and thought provoking movie experiences I have ever had. Ben Kingsley is positively authentic in his role as an exiled retired Iranian Air Force Colonel. Shohreh Aghdashlooennifer, plays his wife and is as good as any american iconic actress(many times stealing the show) Jennifer Connely proves she is one of the best actresses of our time . Don't read the outside of the DVD or an online description...it does it no justice. I simply want people to watch it with no preconceived notions. If you like understated thrillers with a spot on script, truly crafted actors delivering heart wrenching and believable performances (Oscar worthy) and a building suspenseful story line with twists and turns that ultimately crescendos with an unexpected ending that leaves you full of emotion and contemplation SEE THIS MOVIE!!