Ben Kingsley plays a former Colonel in the Iranian Army who with wife, son, and daughter flees to America when the Shah is deposed. A “great man, who interacted with kings and queens” is reduced to laboring on road crews and selling candy to teenagers. But he sees a great opportunity to buy a house for a song when it goes on the block at a Sheriff’s auction.
Jennifer Connelly is a recovering alcoholic who owned the house before falling delinquent on taxes. It turns out, the taxes were almost certainly assessed in error, but by the time she seeks legal relief, the house is already sold.
Willy-nilly, these two parties become antagonists, and we can understand the point of view of each perfectly. Continue reading…
