99 Homes
Broad Green Pictures | Release Date: September 25, 2015
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 95 Ratings
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Positive:
78
Mixed:
17
Negative:
0
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8
jeremypOct 17, 2015
A good movie for Warren and Sanders fans. American Capitalism on trial, and the lure of greed on Joe Normal. Shannon makes the movie come alive as a cool, amoral predator. Garfield is also great as the too easily manipulated and quick to beA good movie for Warren and Sanders fans. American Capitalism on trial, and the lure of greed on Joe Normal. Shannon makes the movie come alive as a cool, amoral predator. Garfield is also great as the too easily manipulated and quick to be converted blue collar Everyman. It could have done with a little more education on the Real Estate collapse's causes, but suffice it to say the world is 95% sucker and 5% predator.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
TVJerryOct 15, 2015
After a single father (Andrew Garfield) loses his family home during the foreclosure crisis, he attempts to regain his financial footing by working for the man who actually evicted him (Michael Shannon). The ethically complex world of homeAfter a single father (Andrew Garfield) loses his family home during the foreclosure crisis, he attempts to regain his financial footing by working for the man who actually evicted him (Michael Shannon). The ethically complex world of home repossession frames the film's discussion, but the father's moral dilemna drives the drama. Garfield and Shannon both create compelling characters and the scenes of families being evicted are heartbreaking. An absorbing drama.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Brent_MarchantApr 4, 2016
A taut, engaging commentary about what ever happened to the American dream, as well as a compelling morality play about what it means to have a conscience when those around you don't. With gripping performances by Andrew Garfield, Laura DernA taut, engaging commentary about what ever happened to the American dream, as well as a compelling morality play about what it means to have a conscience when those around you don't. With gripping performances by Andrew Garfield, Laura Dern and, especially, Michael Shannon, this up-close-and-personal look at the debilitating effects of the 2008 housing meltdown bring the fallout of this calamity down to a human level, showing the full impact of what it's like to have the rug pulled out from beneath oneself -- and to have one's heart ripped out -- all in one fell swoop. Easily one of 2015's most overlooked releases -- and one well worth a look.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
Q8MarrongGlaceMar 10, 2016
H O M E

Your own country within a country This movie touches every person who knows or tries to live without a home , this movie talks about one of the most important issue , I really respect the cast & crew for all the work they doneH O M E

Your own country within a country

This movie touches every person who knows or tries to live without a home , this movie talks about one of the most important issue , I really respect the cast & crew for all the work they done to see that story in a most amazing and realistic acting and performance and the emotional that reflect the real world and how unfair it is . its one of my favorite movies that I won't forget.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
jesseurbancsikDec 2, 2015
With amazing performances by Garfield, Dern and the sinful Shannon, what's not to like about this film? Interesting hand held camera moves and the sadness with over come you in this film.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
smiyamotFeb 11, 2016
Ripped straight from the headlines! Sure, we've read about people losing their homes, but this was the story from the guy serving the eviction notice. How do people lose their homes? Do they make bad financial decisions? That seems to beRipped straight from the headlines! Sure, we've read about people losing their homes, but this was the story from the guy serving the eviction notice. How do people lose their homes? Do they make bad financial decisions? That seems to be story line here. Our guy makes some money so he buys the home he lost for double what he owed and he's smiling. Are Americans that stupid? Not him, he's got it all "figured out."… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
EpicLadySpongeApr 1, 2016
99 Homes... and according to Metacritic, only 76 homes are worth living in while the rest of the 23 homes are not worth living in. According to the user score, only 79 homes are worth living in while the rest of the 20 homes are not worth99 Homes... and according to Metacritic, only 76 homes are worth living in while the rest of the 23 homes are not worth living in. According to the user score, only 79 homes are worth living in while the rest of the 20 homes are not worth living in. According to me, only 80 homes are worth living in while the rest of the 19 homes are not worth living in. In average, only 78 homes are worth living in while the rest of the 21 homes are not worth living in.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
susieandajJan 23, 2016
This is a compelling drama that I personally think is better than the movie The Short. My companion, Skippy Oldham loved this movie and will watch it again. A must see about the foreclosure industry in Orlando, Fl. Watch it!!! Brilliantly done.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
VadertimeApr 11, 2016
I really like Michael Shannon. He was great as General Zod in Man of Steel and he is excellent in this movie as an opportunistic foreclosure specialist in the REO industry. On the other hand, Andrew Garfield's performance was shaky at best,I really like Michael Shannon. He was great as General Zod in Man of Steel and he is excellent in this movie as an opportunistic foreclosure specialist in the REO industry. On the other hand, Andrew Garfield's performance was shaky at best, because it seemed like he was trying to hard. Laura Dern plays a lesser character in the movie, but should have been given a greater role and more depth to her character. It's a good movie and it's well made. Definitely worth the watch.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
ProteusOct 10, 2015
Who knew there were this many irresponsible homeowners in America? The movie presents the poor homeowners who get evicted as victims but we know much better than that. Every one could have moved out and into an apartment months before theWho knew there were this many irresponsible homeowners in America? The movie presents the poor homeowners who get evicted as victims but we know much better than that. Every one could have moved out and into an apartment months before the evictions took place. But that wouldn't make a good story.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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10
NightReviewsFeb 3, 2016
“America doesn’t bail out losers. America bails out winners.” How is that for an American dream motto? This axiom, among many others presented in the film, is the foundation as the blood-splattered frames of Ramin Bahrani’s latest offering“America doesn’t bail out losers. America bails out winners.” How is that for an American dream motto? This axiom, among many others presented in the film, is the foundation as the blood-splattered frames of Ramin Bahrani’s latest offering begin to roll.

The blood is from a homeowner who’d rather kill himself than be kicked out of his home by realtor Rick Carver (Michael Shannon). More of a preying vulture than empathetic human being, Carver shows no sympathy for the man who took his life instead of giving up his family home –an attitude we believe he has for everyone.

Bahrani, a prolific American independent director, is known for focusing on strong characters. Highly secretive and mostly broken individuals, the challenges and obstacles many of his protagonists face are mapped out and executed in unique but usually tragic ways. His expertise is focusing more on the formula of their progression than the final outcome. With 99 Homes, Bahrani switches gears, focusing more on the narrative and development of the story, rather than his deep, often slow, evolution of memorable characters.

Thankfully, Bahrani doesn’t exactly abandon ship in his character building philosophy with his main protagonist and antagonist in the film. He is able to put more focus on his narrative and visual style here, thanks to actor Shannon, who helps maintain the flow of Carver as well as the people around him. For the most part, character-driven directors find it difficult to give all creative energy to their actors, especially after building up a filmography that shows his obsession with leading his main men. But with an actor like Shannon, one of the most confident and reliable actors working today, Bahrani needs not have this fear of relinquishing control of character development. In fact, Shannon’s understanding of Carver’s journey and discreet choices of dialogue, begs the question if Bahrani could have achieved this character development on his own?

Bahrani’s protagonist is Dennis Nash, played wonderfully by Andrew Garfield. Garfield, who was one of the few fortunate Hollywood actors to grace the stage with the legendary Philip Seymour Hoffman on the Broadway stint of Death of a Salesman, seems to have absorbed much of the acting genius of the late Hoffman. Holding his own against a larger than life acting force that is Shannon, Garfield’s Nash allows himself to feed off Carver’s greed and sinisterly convincing monologues with scenes of heart-wrenching grit and sensitivity.

99 Homes shouldn’t be described as the typical tour-de-force, but more of a tour-de-fact cinematic achievement. The filmmaker, whose adamant cinematic attitude is almost non-apologetic on-screen, choosing to highlight a truly sad time in American history. Set in Florida in 2010, when homes were being repossessed by the bank for every chime of the clock on the wall, the film shows a raw portrait of every family’s worst nightmare; a moment of complete vulnerability and uncertainty–being left on the side of the road, with all you’re worldly possessions sitting on the lawn.

As troubling as it sounds, some of the best scenes of the film are when people are evicted from their homes. Beginning with Nash, his mother Lynn Nash (Laura Dern) and son Connor (Noah Lomax), and ranging from young, old, non-English speaking, accepting, and manic; the film shows the different shades of people, sometimes dangerous and always desperate.
99homes1

Nash, a general contractor who never sits at the wayside, becomes a true character of action. The determination of Dennis Nash, thanks to the convincing acting of Garfield, is a little glimmer of hope that man is able to triumph over the recklessness of society’s actions, but sometimes at a severe cost. Nash’s choices and inner struggles are a sharp and dangerous double-edged sword. Nash is a truly tormented moral character who, through his journey of self-discovery, wealth and pain, always draws on the most basic human elements. The biggest question Bahrani leaves audiences with is, “what would you do if you were left in the same situation?”

Possibly the most commercial of his work thus far, the director of Chop Shop, Man Push Cart, At Any Cost and my personal favourite Goodbye Solo, does a magnificent job of juggling the moral and ethical lines of his characters, allowing the audience to ask itself the same questions the characters are asking themselves as the film progresses. This fine element of 99 Homes keeps Bahrani’s tradition of bustlingly tragic and anguished characters alive with vivid, exciting, and mostly unpredictable results.

99 Homes is one of the most complete and appealing films of Bahrani’s career. Engaging enough for causal movie-goers, and enough to chew for veteran nit-picking cinephiles, the film is easily one of the most compelling films at TIFF.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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8
moviemitch96Oct 14, 2015
Having been a fan of director Ramin Bahrani's previous film, At Any Price, I also thought that this film looked interesting enough. So I decided to check it out. Once again, Bahrani proves that he's more than capable of creating a great dramaHaving been a fan of director Ramin Bahrani's previous film, At Any Price, I also thought that this film looked interesting enough. So I decided to check it out. Once again, Bahrani proves that he's more than capable of creating a great drama with tension throughout along with some great acting. Andrew Garfield delivers his best performance since his breakout role in The Social Network. As for Michael Shannon, even though I'm used to seeing him typecast as the creepy/shady villain or businessman, he manages to pull it off rather well once again in this film. As for the film itself, it offers a rather poignant story and almost every scene I found rather difficult to watch due to the tone and tension. However, at the same time it was a good thing as it grabbed my attention and didn't let go until the end. Overall, despite the rather solemn nature of the film, it also makes for an intelligent and harrowing drama.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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9
Rebecca31Nov 8, 2015
Starring the wonderfully angry Michael Shannon and Andrew (retired Spiderman) Garfield. On limited release this movie is simply brilliant, excellent performances, great story, without question one of the best films of the year. Highly recommended.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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4
hotfromcauldronOct 15, 2015
99 homes sit on a street- 99 homes on a street -if one of them haps to foreclose -98 homes before I doze.
Greed and corruption and the American dream should make for an exciting blueprint - like Boiler Room and Margin Call. But once you’ve99 homes sit on a street- 99 homes on a street -if one of them haps to foreclose -98 homes before I doze.
Greed and corruption and the American dream should make for an exciting blueprint - like Boiler Room and Margin Call. But once you’ve seen the opening five minutes of this film - there’s nothing to phone home about. As the middle class learns a house is not a home. And the cookie cutter arc of the lead character - a man torn between putting a roof over his family and living with himself makes for a weak foundation to support this ninety minute house of cards.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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6
netflicOct 26, 2015
This movie is about moral and ethical choices we make in life.

A single dad lives with his son and his mom. He is a capable construction worker but cannot make his ends meet, and his family gets evicted from their house. But then his luckThis movie is about moral and ethical choices we make in life.

A single dad lives with his son and his mom. He is a capable construction worker but cannot make his ends meet, and his family gets evicted from their house. But then his luck changes.
He starts working for the guy who evicted them from their house, keeping it a secret from his family. In a way, he is selling his soul to the devil.
Two leading actors, Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon, perform exceptionally well. They carry the whole movie.
Unfortunately, the script has so many holes that overall impression is of a mediocrity.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
quincytheodoreNov 2, 2015
An engaging drama built on great acting and modestly identifiable characters.

Moving away from home can be a daunting experience, being evicted from your home is downright horrendous. The movie tells a story of losing a fundamental need ofAn engaging drama built on great acting and modestly identifiable characters.

Moving away from home can be a daunting experience, being evicted from your home is downright horrendous. The movie tells a story of losing a fundamental need of shelter with amazing acting prowess, not only from the two leads Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon, but also from the entire supporting role. It's a heavily emotional and adequately realistic story for any audience to invest on.

Dennis (Andre Garfield) is a single father who has been struggling economically. Unfortunately for him, the bank seizes the home right away. Rick Carver (Michael Shannon) is the real estate agent who bears the bad news, often ambitious and greedy, he shows little sympathy to the matter. However, in an odd twist of fate, Dennis finds himself working for Rick to get his home back.

Michael Shannon is one of the most reliable actors today. He can perform in big or low budget movies alike, from General Zod to a simple father, and still able to pull off intricate performance. He's very calculated here, an intriguing mix of antagonist and mentor. Meanwhile Andrew Garfield as Dennis showcases a weighty responsibility in such youthful character. The motivation is easily relatable and it's more than passing judgment about people or a certain situation.

This is also one of the few movies that almost everyone looks believable. There are a few extras that only appear for a couple of scenes and they still encapsulate the pertaining sad or angry sentiment. Granted, it has a few awkward developments towards the end that seem too coincidental or a bit far fetch considering it has moved in realistic fashion up to that point, although these are perfectly understandable to push the pace.

99 Homes is an engaging story built on great acting and modestly identifiable characters. The way it hits close to home makes it a definite recommendation for everyone.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
LeZeeApr 24, 2016
Jumping back into the pool where you have almost drowned once.

I think it was Andrew Garfield's recent best performance. Because he hasn't done any films lately since 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' critically failed. His role was awesome, butJumping back into the pool where you have almost drowned once.

I think it was Andrew Garfield's recent best performance. Because he hasn't done any films lately since 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' critically failed. His role was awesome, but a struggling young single father. When he loses his inherited family house to the bank, he has no choice but to make a quick decision that can secure his family a roof over the head. But when the things get ugly, the new issues begin to appear, and with a narrow chance he tries to fix it.

Another excellent character in the movie that played by Michael Shannon. Not like you know this story very well, and wonderfully narrated story on the screen about what a desperate man can do with his small opportunity to rise again. You will know the twist is coming, but when and how is what we have to patiently wait for. I almost liked the entire film, except the end, which was a bit weak solution and stronger in the display.

8/10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
ydnar4Jan 22, 2016
99 Homes is certainly a well acted film. Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon are both excellent and the film is really raw. You can see their characters existing in the real world. Garfield's character is not as good as I hoped, he is almost99 Homes is certainly a well acted film. Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon are both excellent and the film is really raw. You can see their characters existing in the real world. Garfield's character is not as good as I hoped, he is almost embarrassingly naïve and although his family is a fairly key part in the film their relationship is a little downplayed. He can almost be nearly as evil as Michael Shannon at points so there is a big gap in the film where he is borderline unlikeable. Michael Shannon is the man to watch though and he gives the type of performance that we have come to expect from him. He is a symbol of American greed and he embraces it. He has no empathy which even makes him a little scary. 99 Homes is partially horrifying and at times heartbreaking despite the ending being a bit of a disappointment.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
UrbanlistenerJun 18, 2016
Amazing movie, truly a great piece of art as well as a deep reflection and critique on our socioeconomic beliefs. Fantastic performances by Garfield and Shannon who skyrocket this thriller into greatness.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
SomePersonaFeb 4, 2017
Excellent screenplay and amazing performances. Unfortunately, the movie looks kind of bleh, and there is nothing very special about the cinematography, the editing, or even at times, the direction. But it has an awesome screenplay and a greatExcellent screenplay and amazing performances. Unfortunately, the movie looks kind of bleh, and there is nothing very special about the cinematography, the editing, or even at times, the direction. But it has an awesome screenplay and a great cast which brings it up a lot.… Expand
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6
MahmusSep 25, 2020
It's not very subtle and it gets very repetitive, but it makes up for it with a fantastic performance by Andrew Garfield and a great, if extremely melodramatic climax.

Michael Shannon is too overtly evil for there to be any nuance (and heIt's not very subtle and it gets very repetitive, but it makes up for it with a fantastic performance by Andrew Garfield and a great, if extremely melodramatic climax.

Michael Shannon is too overtly evil for there to be any nuance (and he keeps talking about handjobs for some reason), but he still gave a very entertaining performance. However, it is Andrew Garfield who carries the whole movie with one of his best performances.… Expand
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7
DawdlingPoetNov 25, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is quite a grim and bleak film, obviously reflecting on the recent US property market crash. It shows the importance of families staying together in such tough circumstances, with various characters playing their own roles in trying to stay strong and as the saying goes 'grit your teeth and get on with it'. The family face some tough choices but there are some scenes in which things seem more positive than perhaps you might automatically presume (or fear).

I'd say that one of the main themes explored in this film is greed and/or selfishness. Certainly many Brits could relate to the feelings made clear by other members of the community featured, as far as the hatred of bankers is concerned(!) and I'd say there's quite a strong sense of 'them' vs 'us' present.

The film does well to portray the lack of easy available employment in the Orlando, Florida area, which I can imagine being the case. I think Florida has been among the states worst hit by the foreclosure crisis. There is an element of exploitation present and, content wise, there is some strong language, sex references and bloody violence, although nothing tremendously graphic. I felt this is more of a psychological thriller, a film that involves trying to decipher peoples intentions - where you question what may be a bluff or a double bluff and the like. It is somewhat absorbing, mainly as the main family featured seems a decent lot with the father, Dennis, coming across as particularly conscientious, wanting to provide for his family - consciencious but somewhat naive, while also determined. I found myself feeling quite attached to the various characters and wondering what would become of them and (or moreso) their properties. The community is depicted in quite a desolate way and the fact that one particularly loud and assertive, brash individual seems to have so much control over the residents and their property is quite unsettling and I couldn't help but think felt so unfair ultimately. Unsurprisingly, this film does make you think about who the winners and the losers have been as far as recent economic downfalls are concerned, the property crash and so on. It shows the community to be really quite vulnerable, in a way that perhaps we may not have realised beforehand.

The film uses some quite tense background music (or muzack?) to help add to the tension in key scenes. Pace wise its pretty slow - its one of those slow burners I believe their called. You have to be keen to follow Dennis to discover the outcome of his employment and his family situation. It has something of a b-movie feel about it, in terms of it not being a big Hollywood blockbuster type film and also I noticed that the camerawork is a little jerky at times.

Cast wise, Dennis is played by Andrew Garfield. He does well playing the young, determined, desperate father, although he has his flaws as a character but he's certainly well portrayed. The villain or otherwise 'bad guy' Rich Carver is played by Michael Shannon. He comes across as ruthless and selfish and he came across as really quite convincing, so I thought anyway, shrugging things off a little too fast and easily. Other cast members include Noah Lomax and Albert C. Bates as two kids who are friends that get split up after their individual families are forceably evicted.

This is quite a hard hitting film, certainly by the end - it gets really quite tense and sinister by the final scenes, in which I felt really invested in hoping for the best for Dennis and his family, hoping for a good outcome and thus I feel this was a good film, if but rather grim and bleak, of course.

Yes I'd recommend it, as a film that brings across the personal, the emotional turbulence felt by those personally affected by the American foreclosure crisis. Its quite a tense film and although it doesn't feature a great amount of action and special effects, it is quite bleak and grim and so on, it does feature good portrayals i.e. a good cast, interesting characters, I felt it was overall a fairly gripping film - one that covers some important themes and on that basis, I'd recommend it.… Expand
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6
dundoJan 4, 2023
6 star
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.… Expand
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