“Don’t fight forces, use them.” Buckminister Fuller.
By Pamela Pollack-Fremd
SAN DIEGO — There is an ethical sweetness on display in the film The House of Tomorrow, written and directed by Peter Livolsi and based on the novel by Peter Bognanni, possibly because the ideas and behavior are based on ideas expressed by architect, philosopher, dreamer, Renaissance man, Bucky Fuller.
In the scenic land of the Midwest, possibly Minnesota, two sixteen year old boys/budding men meet, click, and follow their shared dreams. Sebastian (Asa Butterfield) lives a very sheltered life with his Nana (Ellen Burstyn) in a geodesic dome home, which is a tourist attraction. He is home schooled and trained to give tours of the home. One day a Lutheran Youth Group arrives to take the tour. This is how Sebastian meets Jared (Alex Wolff), a chain smoking, aspiring Punk musician. Jared’s very protective father, Alan, (Nick Offerman) is the youth group’s leader. Alan is so protective of his son because the boy has had a heart transplant.
Sebastian and Jared appear to be opposites, but they click, and begin to spend a lot of time together. Jared exposes Sebastian to some of the seedier sides of life and teaches his new friend how to play the electric bass, so they can pursue their musical dream of becoming Punk musicians.
No one in this movie is evil, bad or unethical. Adults are trying to do the best they can; teenagers are just exploring possibilities. Even Jared’s older sister Meredith (Maude Apatow) although annoying at times, is just trying to do her best.
When Sebastian explains to Nana what he wants to do, he says “Bucky was a Punk.” and that seems to explain it all. Nana understands.
Opens Friday, July 6th at the Landmark Ken Cinema.