A Home at the End of the World

Review by Clint Morris

"Sometimes you just have to do something simple, useful", mutters one of the central characters about quarter way through this film.

She was referring to learning how to bake a cake, but it could've easily been a career suggestion for Colin Farrell.

Farrell's made some pretty large-scale films the last few years, some which haven't required a lot of acting skill, so it's always good to step back and make something smaller - something where the key focus in on performances, and little else.

It's also good for your credibility too - shows you're not afraid of digging into a straightforward, but consequential small stack.

Farrell plays a slightly skewed, mildly confused bisexual party-boy (some people are born for roles), who hooks up with his best friend in New York, umpteen years after they meet. Along with Robin Wright Penn's character, a kooky older woman, they form a triangular family circle that's as dysfunctional as a VCR found floating in the river.

The film begins in 1967, when 9-year-old Bobby Morrow (Andrew Chalmers) sees his family life crumble when his oldest brother dies in a freak household accident. Several years later, when he's got little family left, Bobby (now played by Erik Smith) finds a surrogate family when he befriends the odd, but cordial Jonathan (Harris Allan).

When Bobby's father dies, Jonathan's mother (Sissy Spacek in a very compassionate performance), who has already taken a shine to the boy, opens her house to the orphan.

A central theme of the story comes into play when Bobby and Jonathan begin to sexually experiment; ultimately realising they've got a thing for one another. It's a communal fixation that never subsides.

Years later, Bobby (Farrell), still living with Jonathan's family, decides to pack his bags and head for the big smoke. He's immediately welcomed into the home of Jonathan (Dallas Roberts), now openly gay and living the revelry New York way of life, and his friend, Clare (Robin Wright Penn), a flame-haired wild child, who'll ultimately take a shine to the neophyte.

A Home at the End of the World is like two movies in one. It's first a coming-of-age story, and then a romantic drama interwoven with a reminder of the sexually charged, anything-goes 1980's. Though it might've been a better idea to trim some of the childhood scenes, it does give one a good grasp on both central male characters.

There's a quartet of stellar performances here - not the least, Farrell, who gives a poignant, memorable turn as the ostensibly irresolute Bobby. Newcomer Roberts is equally as good as long-suffering friend, Jonathan. Much like a play, emphasis here is on performance, not stratagem - so thankfully, that pie's baked to its best.

It does have it's trivial flaws, but on the whole A Home at the End of the World is a well-written (adapted from Michael Cunningham's own book), well-performed piece that's further corroboration why Colin Farrell is one of the most industrious and well-worn actors around.

3.5 out of 5

A Home at the End of the World
Australian release: Thursday 26th of May, 2005
Cast: Colin Farrell, Dallas Roberts, Robin Wright Penn, Sissy Spacek, Erik Smith.
Director: Michael Mayer.
Website: Click here.

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