I found the film to be pretty good, not as emotionally wrecking and heartfull as many made it out to be, but nonetheless it was still pretty good. The film is filled with some clichés but in Life as a House it works for the most part. Although the film is predictable, it was still pretty entertaining to watch. Though, I found there to be many things that were somewhat unnecessary in the film that didn't add much or didn't need to be in the film. Some of them were quite awkward. Things such as Alyssa taking showers with Sam after only a few visits (her not really knowing him). Colleen (Allyssa's mother) sleeping with Josh (Alyssa's boyfriend). Alyssa later on kissing George (she said that he looked like a good-kisser??). I also didn't like the ending with the narration of Kevin Kleine's voice-over, also the family giving the house (that they spent a lot of time building) to the little crippled girl. It sended a bad message.
But the film makes up with the mistakes with great performances all around. Kevin Kleine as George the protagonist was great, along with Hayden Christensen as Sam (troubled teen in the start to nicer kid). The supporters were great also.
But the film makes up with the mistakes with great performances all around. Kevin Kleine as George the protagonist was great, along with Hayden Christensen as Sam (troubled teen in the start to nicer kid). The supporters were great also.