The plot may be obvious, but the acting and writing are superb! Sure, after the first 15 minutes of "Life As A House" I knew exactly where the film was going and what would happen and that created a feeling of dread in me. After all, I'd paid nine bucks for what might well have turned out to be no better than a TV movie-of-the-week. Boy was I ever happy to be wrong, completely wrong. So the plot was obvious, the writing was superb, the acting flawless and the cinematography was beautiful to behold. Kevin Kline walked a line between drama and comedy that may lead to winner's podium at the Academy Awards; Kristin Scott Thomas gave a beautifully nuanced performance that ranks among her best ever; Hayden Christensen showed us why George Lucas picked him to star in the next two "Star Wars" films even though those roles will probably not come near the dramatic excellence of this one; and, in casting Mike Weinberg as the little brother Adam, Irwin Winkler may have found Hollywood's next new hot kid star. So go see "Life As A House," and enjoy a film that will make you laugh, cry and maybe even think. This is Hollywood filmmaking at its best.