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Home at the End of the World

The search for family and home are universal themes to which everyone can relate. What’s refreshing about “A Home at the End of the World” is that it explores these issues in a decidedly nontraditional way, with quirky characters that form bonds much different from the conventional suburban household, but no less loving.

Written and adapted by the author of “The Hours,” Michael Cunningham, “World” centers on a romantic triangle between Bobby Morrow (Colin Farrell), his childhood friend Jonathan Glover (Dallas Roberts), and a free-spirited older woman named Clare (Robin Wright Penn).

Since the trio revolves around Bobby, the film begins with a kind of highlight reel through his tragedy-filled upbringing to give us insight into his engaging personality. Bobby worships his much older brother, a down-to-earth optimist in love with life. But when Bobby is 7, his brother is killed in a freak accident. His mother also dies when he’s young, and in high school he finds his father dead in bed. The important thing about these tragedies, however, is not the events themselves, but Bobby’s reaction to them. Taking from his brother’s example, he is able to accept these losses and still maintain a romantic vision of life.

After his father’s death, Bobby moves in with his friend Jonathan’s family, and Bobby’s presence there seems to have a calming effect on everyone. He only wants people to be happy, and somehow they are when they’re with him. Bobby’s free spirit, for instance, helps him bond with Jonathan’s mother (Sissy Spacek), who sees in Bobby a glimpse of what her own life might have been like if she had followed her heart rather than settling for an unhappy suburban marriage.

Jonathan too is drawn to Bobby because Bobby brings his friend out of his shy shell and shows him a view of the world he wants to believe in. Jonathan is clearly gay from an early age, and Bobby is his first love. They even engage in an innocent homosexual experience. But, because Bobby is not gay, Jonathan can never really have the kind of relationship he wants with his close friend. As a result, after high school, Jonathan moves to New York to find his own life. But, eventually, at the age of 24, Bobby follows, joining Jonathan, who is now living with an appealingly liberated older woman named Clare.

Clare and Jonathan love each other in a platonic way, but are frustrated that it can’t be more. Bobby’s presence stirs up old feelings of love in Jonathan that he doesn’t know how to handle, and Bobby eventually becomes Clare’s lover. The plot extends from there, but these difficult feelings are always at the core of the story, like an exposed nerve.

The film could have gotten caught up in its storyline, but chooses instead to focus on the complexity of the relationships between the characters. That’s why it works. The characters, each played with sincerity and depth of conviction, are so compelling that the film becomes like a character study in friendship, family and love. All of the actors in the film turn in exquisite performances. But, it’s Farrell’s astonishing portrayal of Bobby that stands out.

Similar to Charlise Theron’s portrayal in “Monster,” though not as risky, Farrell breaks free from his stereotypical roles for this film. Nearly unrecognizable as the soft-spoken Bobby, Farrell proves he has more to offer audiences than his usual two-dimensional portrayals in films such as “Phone Booth” and “S.W.A.T.” In fact, this film is all about breaking stereotypes. That is its appeal. In a way, the film uniqueness makes its common themes stand out more because it proves that family, just like people, comes in all shapes and sizes.

The DVD extras include the trailer and a segment called The Journey Home, which includes interviews with the director and the actors. Farrell is surprisingly absent from the segment, but the others talk candidly about their love for the characters and the deep emotions that are expressed through the work.

Written by: Keli Ayr Brooks

Reviewers Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 10.00
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