A House Divided

I enjoyed this film which was on SHOWTIME recently. "Based upon true events" this film tells the story of one civil war era family that kept a potentially deadly secret from the person who most needed to know the secret. Fine performances by Sam Waterston (anything he does is worth watching), Jennifer Beals and the rest of the cast. Hard to believe that we're looking at Toronto, Ontario instead of the real-life location of South Georgia (just over from L.A.- Lower Alabama). Take the time to watch this interesting film which changed Georgia law.

I hesitated when renting this as it looked like a sappy made-for-TV movie. It turned out to be well acted and there were no outright heroes or villains. The flashbacks to 30 or 40 years were well done: the people looked and acted younger, and as time went on their characters developed (as do real people.)

In particular I enjoyed the relationship between David and Julia. The only drawback was Amanda's "hurt person" acting -- she didn't really seem to be hurting, just kinda vacant.

I was also amazed that this was a Canadian movie. Maybe that's what made it work. Looking back on it now, I see how it was very non-Hollywood.

In the opening scene of A House Divided, Sam Waterston is found dead in his room. Don't worry, he's not out of the picture! During the reading of his will, his brother contests the fact that Sam has left everything to his daughter, Jennifer Beals, and moves to settle the matter in court. As the young lawyer who helped draft the will tries to help, he unearths deep-seeded family secrets.

The majority of A House Divided is told in flashbacks, but it isn't at all distracting, like some nonlinear stories are. The present and past are spliced in perfect places, letting the audience crave and learn more at exactly the right times. It's a period piece, in mid-1800s Georgia; fans of Civil War dramas are going to love this movie, even though it doesn't have anything to do with the war. As a young girl, LisaGay Hamilton is bought by Sam Waterston's family. Sam takes an inappropriate interest in her, but even in the midst of his harassments, he discovers and respects her intelligence and elevates her from a housemaid to helping his accounts of the plantation. The relationship between Sam and LisaGay is fascinating, and one of the most incredible elements of the film. He's shown as a despicable person at first, but in other scenes, he seems to appreciate, respect, and even treasure her. She hates him, but doesn't let that hatred define her, even when she suffers unspeakable tragedies. Then again, when she sees his body at the start of the film, she doesn't appear to hate him at all.

In addition to the interesting dichotomy of the characters in Paris Qualles's script, the acting in A House Divided is wonderful. While LisaGay Hamilton has been in some famous films, she isn't close to being the household name she should be. She's a very pretty woman and a fantastic actress, showing a perfect spread of emotions as her scenes call for it. You'll probably reach for your Kleenexes more than once when she's on the screen. Jennifer Beals, not normally known for her acting chops, also does a very good job, and has a flawless Southern accent.

One of the things I love about Sam Waterston is that no matter what time period he's in, from Lincoln to The Great Gatsby to Law & Order, it always feels like he belongs in that era. And while he does some terrible things in this movie, he doesn't play the character as an inarguable villain. There's so much confliction in his scenes. He and LisaGay will keep you thinking and talking long after the movie's over.

Excellent film. It was hard to to watch as I got quite emotional throughout and cried my eyes out at some scenes. Can't imagine how humans can treat other humans like this. I'm British and know little Black American history but watching this has been eye opening and educating.

How Black people have survived throughout history in America is mind blowing and commendable despite everything they've been through.

Film was brilliantly acted , no exaggerations or unnecessary scenes. Every one acted so well. I would recommend this movie to everyone to watch. Put it on your to watch list, very worth it.

I rented this movie on video and saw it in my local video store. A House Divided is about a family torn apart by indifference and love. This is based on a true story. Amanda is born to an affluent Southern family and grows up with priviiledges that her plantation father can affort. Her father kept a secret about her background of her real mother. It is worth watching how people get along in an unusual way.