The Architect

The Architect is a 2006 drama film based on the play of the same name by Scottish playwright David Greig. The movie is directed by Matt Tauber and boasts a star-studded cast including Anthony LaPaglia, Viola Davis, and Isabella Rossellini. This engaging and thought-provoking film elegantly presents the themes of urban decay, community, and personal redemption.

Anthony LaPaglia plays Leo Waters, the titular architect, whose character anchors the story in its exploration of the person's role in shaping the community they live in. Waters is an established and successful architect who, despite his success and professional accolacy, appears to be sticking to overly functional, corporate aesthetics, seemingly indifferent to the social impacts of his work. His outwardly perfect life veils a struggling relationship with his wife Julia, played by Isabella Rossellini. The strains in their marriage further uncover deep-seated issues in their family, including a discontented daughter and an alienated, questioning son, setting up a secondary layer of interpersonal drama, mirroring the external societal discord.

On the other side of the socio-economic divide is Tonya Neeley, portrayed by Viola Davis, a determined and dogged tenant of one of Waters' housing projects named Eden Court. Neeley, a single mother dealing with her own personal challenges and trauma, fights furiously against the deteriorating conditions of her housing complex. Unhappy with the negative sociological impacts of its design, including escalating crime rates and urban decay, she organizes a petition seeking the demolition of Eden Court, boldly reaching out to Waters for his support.

The film then sets off on a compelling journey of confrontation and introspection. The two main characters, Waters and Neeley, introduce a socio-political tension that explores more profound topics: the architecture of our lives, both physically and metaphysically. Waters, initially reluctant, has to face the grim realities that his designs bring to communities like Eden Court, giving the audience a thought-provoking look at the unseen consequences of urban planning and benign neglect.

Simultaneously, serious discussions about identity, both personal and communal, come into play. The Architect presents the lives of individuals enclosed within the squalid walls of being socially and physically trapped and raises questions about whose responsibility it is to draw the blueprint for a better world.

Additionally, The Architect doesn't shy away from tackling personal identity. It draws an intricate picture of the characters’ private lives, describing how each of them struggles with the expectations of society, their public roles, and their aspirations. It presents an emotional exploration of individuals dealing with their emotional lives, disconnects, desires for authenticity or escapism, and how those intersect with their public roles. The Architect delves into the character's internal battles and personal developments, making it just as much a character study as a social commentary.

The performances are impeccable, and the talents of Anthony LaPaglia, Viola Davis, and Isabella Rossellini shine throughout. They each bring unquestionable depth and layers to their characters, facilitating an empathetic connection with the audience. Rossellini’s portrayal of Julia Waters is hauntingly captivating, while Davis’ fierce and emotionally resonant performance lays the groundwork for her future prominent roles.

Director Matt Tauber blurs the lines between drama and reality by capturing the grit and authenticity of urban housing, using the medium of film to visually engage the audience in a dialogue about urban planning and community engagement. The film's screenplay, adapted by David Greig from his own stage play, provides a sophisticated narrative foundation, heavy with emotion and provoking reflection on social issues.

The Architect is a film that intelligently unravels the complicated dynamics of urban modern life, shifting between the grand scale of societal responsibility and the intricacies of personal struggles. It's a story about the walls we build around us – physical, emotional, and societal – and the power we have to break them down. The Architect offers a broad commentary on the impact and responsibility of personal choices, professional duty, and the constant drive towards change. It is a mirror held up to society through an architect's blueprint, provocative, thoughtful, and deeply engaging.