Review of A Home at the End of the World (2004) by J D — 21 Jan 2008

In 1971 Alvin Toffler wrote a book called "Future Shock", a remarkably prescient look at the kind of changes our rapidly changing world could expect. Part of the book discussed the future of relationships and family, predicting gay marriage and "non-traditional" family dynamics that could work just as well as a traditional family.

This movie is exactly what he was writing about. This movie makes the case that while it can perhaps get a bit more emotionally messy, where there's love, there's family. Thankfully, all three of the main characters, while complex, are still likeable.

No hipsters in the bunch, so whether you're gay, straight, or other, you can relate to them without feeling that they're too cool for school. I've really enjoyed Dallas Roberts since watching him in "The L Word" and "Joshua".

Robin Wright Penn is great and strong in a role that could very well have marginalized a less adept actress. The big surprise for me here is Colin Farrell. Like Russell Crowe, it's hard for me to seperate the attitude from the actor, but his role as Bobby in this gives me newfound respect for his acting abilities.

There is not a hint of egotism here. His Bobby is an open book, a wide-eyed innocent you can't help but fall in love with. While the end was a bit too abrupt for my taste, this was a great, entertaining drama.