Das Haus am See (The Lake House)
U.S.A. 2006

Opening 6 Jul 2006

Directed by: Alejandro Agresti
Writing credits: David Auburn, Eun-Jeong Kim
Principal actors: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Christopher Plummer

Based on the film “Il Mare”, Alejandro Agresti directs Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in a love story across time dimensions, with a screenplay by David Auburn.

Dr. Kate Forster (Bullock) begins work in Chicago and has to exchange her beloved house on a lake for a city apartment. She leaves a letter for whomever moves in next, asking to have any mail she might still receive there forwarded, and to forgive the dog prints in paint on the deck and a box in the attic: they were both there when she moved in.

 Alex Wyler (Reeves) moves in and is rather surprised to find the letter. First of all, the house looks like it has not been lived in for a few years, and, secondly, there are no dog prints on the deck nor a box in the attic. He ignores the letter until one day, when painting the deck rail, a dog turns up, runs through his paint tray and leaves prints on the deck. Curious about how Kate could have known, he writes to her and they soon discover that he lives in 2004 whilst she lives in 2006. The correspondence across time develops into a love story; but it looks like it will have to remain platonic, as forces outside of their control work against their ever meeting now that they have found each other.

To be able to appreciate and follow the thread of this story, it is probably necessary to be able to accept the concept of parallel dimensions, the idea that our future can unfold in a myriad of ways depending on each of our decisions, and that those parallel worlds could actually cross over or connect. If you do not believe this, you will probably be rather confused by the plot. With this in mind, I found the story did actually hold together. The problem was that, most of the time, the two main characters were not on screen together, or, if they were, they were only together in an imaginary way, by means of the dialogue in their letters. Unfortunately, the dialogue was so predictable (what's your favourite thing? kind of questions) and bland that no magic could be created. It is a difficult idea to pull off successfully and the film makers did not get close. The weakness was undoubtedly in the actual script. (Osanna Vaughn)