House of Sand and Fog

Wow. House of Sand and Fog must be the most depressing movie ever. The last 10 minutes provide a startling glance into the lowest state a human could ever achieve.

The story goes way beyond the boundaries of reality. It stretches sanity to the very edge, producing an array of mentally-disturbed characters that, at no times, follow logic. In fact, I didn't know who to hate more: the depressed, lazy, and irresponsible white woman who couldn't face the fact that she lost the home due to her own negligence, the unfaithful husband who denies all sense of duty and civil right to protect a woman he just met, or the stubborn, unwielding father that makes life-changing decisions without ever consulting his family.The only admirable character was the mother who selflessly follows her husband. She takes care of her family and offers aid to strangers. Her love is endless and respectable. She provides the only softness in the movie.

Note-worthy is the use of reocurring objects interspersed throughout the scenes. The table keeps falling, the trees keep coming down. Fog covers and hides only briefly. Birds land and fly free. Tea is always offered to calm and finally offer eternal peace.

Even though the story is extremely depressing, I give it 3 potatoes because it evokes strong feelings.