OxfordPress.com

Grade: B-

Verdict: Kline and his ensemble cast provide a solid foundation for a sometimes sappy script.

Details: Starring Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas and Hayden Christensen. Directed by Irwin Winkler. Rated R for sexual situations, nudity, language and drug use. Two hours.

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Review: Probably the only thing more dilapidated than the ocean-view shack at the end of an otherwise pristine cul-de-sac overlooking the Pacific is the man who owns it.

He's George (Kevin Kline), the protagonist of the soapy but often successful “Life as a House.” Things aren't going well for George. He has no family to speak of — aside from a still-exasperated ex-wife named Robin (Kristin Scott Thomas), now wealthily remarried, and a son, Sam (Hayden Christensen), a sullen Goth goof-off who turns homosexual tricks to earn his drug money.

He's lost his job and his health: His doctor says he's got cancer and four months to live. So he decides to raze the shack and build his dream house.

That, essentially, is the plot of "Life as a House." A dying man whose final gift is a home that will bring together his shredded family and friends.

Yes, it's just as disease-movie-of-the-week as it sounds. But with a difference. A good script by Mark Andrus (“As Good as It Gets”) and a more-than-good cast that includes Mary Steenburgen, Jena Malone, Jamey Sheridan, Sam Robards and Scott Bakula.

Unfortunately, the movie has been weakly directed by Irwin Winkler, a very good producer (“Raging Bull,” “GoodFellas”) and a so-so director (“Guilt by Suspicion,” “At First Sight”). Winkler plays into the script's soft side with his perfect sunsets and the gosh-golly tone of some of the house-raising scenes. As if to make up for that, he attempts to be hard-edged when he presents the oh-so-casual sex stuff. (Be warned: This movie would be perfect for a family except that almost everyone gets it on with almost everyone else.)

That leaves it to Winkler's star to bring out the movie's humor and its compassion. Thankfully, he's got Kline who works with such nuance, charm and ease that you remember how wonderful he can be when he's doing over-the-top stuff like “A Fish Called Wanda” (which earned him an Oscar). When Kline plays it straight, he's every bit as good of an Everyman as Tom Hanks.

“Life as a House” may be too predictable, too familiar, but what's fresh here is the unwavering humanity demonstrated by the ensemble cast.

And besides, this may be your only chance to see the future Anakin Skywalker (Christensen) sporting blue eyshadow and a pierced tongue.

— Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, (none)