The Architect (2006)
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11% of critics liked it
(38 reviews) -
31% of users liked it
(1,291 ratings)
Tonya Neely (Viola Davis) is a neighborhood activist on the south side of Chicago, trying to get her community to rally to tear down Eden Court, the dangerous housing project where she lives. After a family tragedy, she sent her youngest daughter, Cammie (Serena Reeder), off to live with friends in… More Tonya Neely (Viola Davis) is a neighborhood activist on the south side of Chicago, trying to get her community to rally to tear down Eden Court, the dangerous housing project where she lives. After a family tragedy, she sent her youngest daughter, Cammie (Serena Reeder), off to live with friends in a middle-class neighborhood, where she could go to a better school. Leo Waters (Anthony LaPaglia), the architect who designed Eden Court many years ago, lives a seemingly idyllic life with his wife, Julia (Isabella Rossellini), his teenage daughter, Christina (Hayden Panettiere), and his son, Martin (Sebastian Stan), who has just returned home after dropping out of college. Leo's family is on the verge of a crisis. Julia's unhappiness with their marriage leads her to clean the house obsessively. Christina is only 15, but she is eager to explore her budding sexuality. Martin is understandably cynical about his home life, and confused about his own desires. When Tonya contacts Leo, hoping to convince him to sign the petition to tear down Eden Court, it sets a chain of events in motion that will force both families to confront the issues that they've tried so hard to avoid. The Architect, which also features performances by Paul James, Walton Goggins, Tijuana Ricks, Lauren Hodges, and Malcolm Goodwin, was directed by Matt Tauber, adapted from a play by Scottish playwright David Greig. The film had its world premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Matt Tauber
- Written By
- Matt Tauber, David Greig
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Dec 8, 2006 Limited
- Studio
- Magnolia Pictures
Critic Reviews
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John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Despite his obvious earnestness, first-time director and cowriter Matt Tauber is ill equipped to mine emotions this complex.
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Michael Booth, Denver Post
Too many "big" moments are happening to too many people for the movie to feel plausible, and Tauber tries to tie many of those plots together in a way that seems contrived.
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Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Occasionally a pallid film is salvaged by one wonderful performance. To the extent The Architect will be remembered, it will be for giving a starring role to the exceptional Viola Davis.
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Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Given the fact that The Architect is obviously a work in the tradition of Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams, not to mention Henrik Ibsen, it's disappointing.
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Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
Painfully portentous and more solemn than Santa's funeral, The Architect gets this year's prize for the movie most likely to spoil holiday cheer.
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Cast
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Anthony LaPaglia
as Leo Waters
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Viola Davis
as Tonya Neely
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Isabella Rossellini
as Julia Walters
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Hayden Panettiere
as Christina Waters
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Sebastian Stan
as Martin Waters
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Paul James
as Shawn
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Serena Reeder
as Cammie Neely
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Walton Goggins
as Joe
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Malcolm Goodwin
as Big Tim
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Lauren Hodges
as Jill
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Julius Tennon
as Arthur
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Lillias White
as Geraldine
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Eisa Davis
as Linda
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Tijuana Ricks
as Bernice
- Alex McCord
- Walt Goggins
