Watch The Architect

The Architect is a 2006 drama film directed by Matt Tauber and starring Anthony LaPaglia, Viola Davis, and Isabella Rossellini. The movie follows architect Leo Waters (La Paglia) and his troubled family as they navigate the complexities of modern-day living in America. Leo is a successful architect who has designed an ambitious housing project in a struggling neighbourhood of Chicago. He is married to Julia (Rossellini), a former socialite, and they have two children, Martin (Sebastian Stan) and Christina (Hayden Panettiere), who are both struggling with their identities.

At the opening of the movie, Leo is giving a presentation on the housing project to the city council, and we learn that he is under enormous pressure to deliver results. Meanwhile, Martin is dealing with drug addiction and is living in a halfway house, trying to get his life back on track. Christina, on the other hand, is a rebellious teenager who is struggling to come to terms with her sexuality.

Into this maelstrom comes Tonya Neely (Davis), a community activist who is leading a campaign against the housing project, claiming it will displace too many people in the neighbourhood. Tonya doesn't trust Leo and confronts him at his office, accusing him of being out of touch with the people who will be affected by his project.

Despite their initial animosity, Tonya and Leo begin a tentative friendship. Leo is intrigued by Tonya's passion for social justice, and he starts to see the flaws in his own project. He confides in her about his family, and she starts to understand the pressures he's under.

As the movie progresses, we see the Waters family slowly falling apart. Julia is unhappy with her life and yearns for the glamour of her former socialite days. Martin is struggling with addiction, and Christina is trying to figure out who she is. Leo himself starts to question his own motives for building the housing project, but he is trapped by his own professional obligations and his need for success.

The Architect is a powerful movie that deals with issues of race, class, and gentrification. It is a thought-provoking meditation on the difficulty of connecting with others, and the consequences of ignoring the needs of the less fortunate. The performances by the cast are outstanding, with LaPaglia giving a nuanced portrayal of a man torn between his professional obligations and his family.

Viola Davis is also excellent as Tonya Neely, a strong and determined woman who is fighting for the rights of her community. Isabella Rossellini rounds out the cast with a subtle performance as Julia, Leo's unhappy wife, who longs for a life that is long gone.

The movie is beautifully shot in and around Chicago, with some stunning architectural sequences that demonstrate Leo's talent as an architect. The soundtrack is also excellent, with a mix of classical, jazz, and popular music that reflects the mood of the scenes.

In conclusion, The Architect is a compelling movie that explores complex issues with insight and sensitivity. It is a must-see for anyone interested in social justice, architecture, or family dynamics.

The Architect is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 47.