Arts

Film: House of Sand and Fog

As a rule, I don't read reviews before watching a film. In fact, I try to keep as ignorant of a film's contents before the curtain is raised.

On the one hand this means I get to endure some films I'd rather avoid - many because of their subject matter, others because they're frankly very bad. But it also means I get to be surprised and delighted by others.

House of Sand and Fog is a film that fits into the latter category. I was aware it had received good reviews, but I'd no idea of the shape of the plot or even really the style of film.

The result was a very enjoyable evening. A film that kept me with it as it switched from one genre to another.