the audience applauded

A Brilliant Conflict

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

I love the fact that this movie didn't follow the typical "Something bad happens then I learn from my mistakes and get the girl" theme. It was a movie of learning things about yourself and making mistakes along the way. "Knowing is half the battle" they say and this movie illustrates that quote perfectly.The character Bobby has always been himself no matter the situation. Even when things got 'hot' between Johns mother and him his faith never wavered for a second. The entire movie I kept waiting for the moment when he would put the moves on her and was very relieved when he didn't.Making Bobby and Jonathan bisexual and homosexual puts that twist on it to where it can't be a typical story. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this film really brings to light events that actually happen in real life, that everything doesn't just magically get fixed; you just learn from your problems and deal with them as they come.

Bobby and Jonathan go from sad and lonely kids to confused teenagers to complicated and disoriented adults. "A Home at the End of the World" throws out questions of homosexuality and heterosexuality, it's all very intimate, and just like life, not very clear.Primarily about relationships, and relationships at every stage of life, this film has a great introspective emotional quality to it. But better than the relationships are the actors. Colin Farrell, a frequently great actor, is still surprisingly good as Bobby. As Jonathan said, "Bobby's not gay. Well, really, who knows what he is?". Jonathan on the other hand is gay, at least he thinks he is. Jonathan is played by the brilliantly subtle Dallas Roberts. An amazingly versatile actor who frequently flies under the radars, and I am now more convinced that he is the best (relatively) unknown actor around.I believe that "A Home at the End of the World" is more meant for children of the 60s rather than children of the 80s (or later). It had the 60s' experimental elements and the 60s soundtrack which probably gives greater empathy connections for its audience. After all, Bobby and Jonathan were children of the 60s.

If you are a fan of the book - you will hate this movie. If you are a fan of story lines and decent acting - you will really hate this movie. Colin Farrell is the most dismal excuse for an actor going around and the fact that so many hicks have commented positively towards his "performance" in this movie only goes to further illustrate how mainstream entertainment is slowly dumbing us down into believing that we are watching something really "meaningful" - or that actually makes sense. As for Sissy Spacek and Robin Wright Penn - when your career is approaching oblivion I guess you will make any half arsed attempt to salvage what you can. But really ladies - give it up while still being able to hold your heads somewhat high. Finally, to Michael Cunningham - you are a brilliant author and your book A Home at the End of the World is brilliant - here's a little tip though - no one is going to read it based on seeing this movie because they have destroyed your story. Seriously - don't let them do this to your work.

There haven't been many movies to leave me in tears while causing me to laugh and smile tremendously at the same time. With other movies like "The Broken Hearts Club" and "Mysterious Skin," the beautiful love stories and tragic plot twists make this movie into a piece of cinematic magic. The subject matters of the movie are the reasons it didn't reach a wider audience in the end, but as long as the viewer keeps an open mind to the same-sex relationships and the drug usage then I feel everyone will come to love the movie.Envy, love, sadness, and desirers of my own emerge after watching this movie. There are so many things that touch me on a deeply personal level in this movie and I've got a feeling I'm not alone. If you haven't seen this movie before, I urge you to run out now and find it either at a video store or order it online. A word of caution: for your first time, don't watch this movie alone. It's not because it's too sad or horrific, but it would be good to have someone around for the passions that come up.I hope I didn't spoil anything for you, but there is no way to do this movie justice. And remember...while white may go with everything, it's a house and not an outfit they are talking about. And in the end, it goes from just being their house, to being a love-filled home.