The House of Sand & Fog: Bruce Birmelin

House of Sand and Fog

WHY WE CAN'T WAIT Oscar buzz is strong for the performances of previous winners Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley in this intense drama.

SOURCE MATERIAL The 1999 novel (and Oprah's Book Club selection) by Andre Dubus III

PLOT POINTS Recovering alcoholic Connelly loses her house in foreclosure, and Kingsley's Iranian immigrant and family man snaps it up. Connelly will do anything to get it back, and the war of wills over the house escalates brutally.

BURNING QUESTION Are war-weary viewers ready to sympathize with an Iranian military officer?

COME FOR Sexy beasts Kingsley and Connelly

STAY FOR Hollywood newcomers Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jonathan Ahdout, in the pivotal roles of Kingsley's wife and son