Retro Film Review: A Home at the End of the World (2004)
While there is little doubt about Colin Farrell's acting prowess, the start of the century was unkind to him in terms of Hollywood stardom. Many of his challenges can be attributed to the spectacular failure of Alexander, a film where he portrayed a bisexual character with a bad wig. He played a similar role in A Home at the End of the World, a lesser-known drama directed by Michael Mayer.
The screenplay for the film was penned by Michael Cunningham, renowned for his novel The Hours. The plot starts in Cleveland in 1967, introducing the protagonist Bobby Powell (portrayed by Andrew Chalmers) at the age of nine. His older brother, a quintessential child of the 1960s, exposes him to drugs and free love, only to tragically perish at a party. Subsequent years see adolescent Bobby (played by Erik Smith) lose both parents in the 1970s but find solace through his school friend, the nerdy Jonathan Glover (enacted by Harris Alan), with whom he shares his first sexual experiences. As time progresses, the two friends drift apart - by the early 1980s, Bobby (portrayed by Farrell) works as a baker, while Jonathan (played by Dallas Roberts) embraces a openly gay lifestyle in New York's bohemian circles. A visit reunites them, leading to a complex relationship with Jonathan's platonic friend Clare (portrayed by Robin Wright Penn) and a unique dynamic involving the desire for a child.
A Home at the End of the World, akin to The Hours, features sexually ambiguous characters navigating through significant emotional turmoil to find solace in same-sex relationships. However, the two films diverge in tone, style, and overall quality. The brevity of A Home at the End of the World compared to The Hours allows for a more streamlined adaptation of Cunningham's work. Director Michael Mayer's debut necessitated a brisk pace, eschewing lengthy dialogues and extraneous characters. The film opts for a 1970s and 1980s pop music backdrop instead of Philip Glass's signature sound, fostering a more uplifting ambiance that contrasts with the sombre events of the plot. The film's characters exude kindness and good intentions, creating a fairy-tale-like cheerfulness that attempts to engage the audience.
Despite a commendable cast - with Farrell delivering an acceptable performance despite character depth issues and an unfortunate wig, and Robin Wright Penn delivering a standout performance - the film falters due to significant plot gaps. The abrupt separation of Bobby and Jonathan remains unexplained, leaving a narrative void that weakens the film and accentuates the proliferation of clichés towards the conclusion. While watchable, A Home at the End of the World ultimately serves as a poignant example of American independent cinema succumbing to the pitfalls that have long plagued mainstream Hollywood.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)
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