Director Irwin Winkler had long dreamed of making a movie about a man trapped in a typical, fast-moving 21st century life who decides to escape and rebuild a new life lived from the heart.

The idea was abstract, but when Winkler bounced it off Oscar-nominated screenwriter Mark Andrus (As Good as it Gets), Andrus replied: "What about making it a story about a man in the midst of a crisis rebuilding a house?"

The metaphor seemed perfect - and very apt in an era when more and more people are tearing down and rebuilding houses on their own.

"Mark really turned the idea of constructing a house into a story about how you construct a meaningful life," says Irwin Winkler. "He put at the centre of it a wonderful hero: a man at the end of his rope who finally finds the courage to boldly go after the one dream he's never had a chance to fulfil and who becomes a catalyst for all kinds of changes in the people around him."

Andrus filled his script not only with authentic details about constructing a house, but with numerous characters who are each looking for something simple and direct and human in a world that often threatens those very things. Each is drawn to George Monroe's quest for their own individual reasons. "There are many love stories in this script," observes Winkler. "It's about a man who gives many people the fearlessness to give up their anger and do something out of love."

When Andrus turned in his screenplay the most astonishing thing about it was its tone: heart-wrenching yet hilarious, life-affirming yet filled with the wonderful absurdities of everyday life, teeming with family dysfunction yet also with wit and passion.

"The script was very smart and funny and sad and surprising all at the same time," comments Winkler. "Mark has a real knack for capturing human behaviour at its most interesting, real and complicated. He understands longing and loss but he also understands the very funny ways people behave. The script was filled with humour -- the kind of humour that makes you laugh because it's so true and real."

Winkler knew the script would require an extraordinarily nuanced and ultimately heroic performance from its lead actor and it was clear from the start that Kevin Kline would be George Monroe. According to the director, "Kevin was perfect for the role, because he's someone clearly capable of transformation. He can go from rock-bottom to a guy so full of life it's almost scary. No matter how you feel about the character in the beginning, Kevin makes you fall in love with George Monroe."

Kline was drawn to the script because of the story's surprising turns and twists as well as the humanness of its characters. "It's a beautifully written script. George Monroe is trying to make sense of his life and inadvertently becomes a catalyst for others involved in the same struggle," says Kline. "Among other things it's about a man who has lived in fear most of his life and then finds courage."

"I like that this movie is about people doing the things that they've always put off doing in life," says Kristin Scott Thomas. "It's sort of a push to get out there and do all the things you've always wanted to do and say the things you've always wanted to say."

Although she was drawn to the universal themes of Mark Andrus' script, Scott Thomas had a unique challenge: putting together a portrait of the ultimate American mom. "There is something incredibly American about this film," she admits, "but it's also about something anyone can relate to: about how to build a life." The filmmakers found working with the actress a rewarding experience. Notes producer Rob Cowan, "there's a charm and a warmth to Kristin that really elevates the whole level of the film."

Taking on the role of Sam is rising young star Hayden Christensen, who made headlines when he won the role of the youthful Darth Vader in George Lucas' forthcoming Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. The filmmakers were enthralled by his James Dean-like expression of adolescent turmoil and angst Christensen was excited by the idea of playing "a really complex kid. Sam's in a downward spiral when we first see him because he's this kid who feels no love in his life, not from anybody. He's very confused and very angry," he explains. "But when he sees his dad tearing down this house that's filled with all these old memories, Sam becomes ready to tear down the way he's been living his life."

Pulling Sam out of his darkened shell is Alyssa Beck, played by the acclaimed young actress Jena Malone, who was drawn to the script's unflinchingly dark comedy. "I love a blend of black humor and reality," she says. "And the relationships in this film are really different and unique. I like that here you have these neighbors who have lived next to each other all this time, but they've never really known each other until now. All the secrets start to come out."

Adding a touch of comic tenderness to the main ensemble is Academy Award-winner Mary Steenburgen as George's closest neighbour, a single mother he once dated . . . and dumped. Steenburgen fell in love with her colourful character and with the story. "I felt this was a story that makes you want to live and love very hard and very well," says the actress. "It's a really beautiful tale about making your existence count."