Alex Wyler
This house is about ownership, not connection. I mean, it's beautiful. Seductive, even. But, it's incomplete.
Played by Keanu Reeves 
The Lake House (2006) · 9 quotes
The Lake House (2006) · 9 quotes
Dear Miss Forster: I got your note, and I'm afraid there must be some kind of misunderstanding. As far as I know, the lake house has been empty for several years. Maybe your note was intended for the Sandburg house down the shore since no one has lived in this house for years. But I'm curious about the paw prints.
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There should be a stairway down to the water, a porch, a deck. Here, you're in a-- in a box. A glass box with a view to everything that's around you... but you can't touch it. No interconnection between you and what you're looking at.
Henry Wyler
I don't know, you know. He's got this big maple growing right in the middle of the house.
Alex Wyler
Containment. [pushes a button which opens a glass door] Containment and control. This house is about ownership, not connection. I mean, it's beautiful. Seductive, even. But, it's incomplete. [pauses] It was all about him. Dad knew how to build a house, not a home. But you know... I think he wants us to do what he couldn't. But, admitting that would mean admitting that he came up short in some way... that he could do more. And that tortures him.
Henry Wyler
Do you remembering being here with Mom?
Alex Wyler
I remember she tried to make it work here... with us... with him.
Simon Wyler
Where's your brother?
Alex Wyler
I sent him away. He wasn't feeling well. You know how he is, he worries.
Simon Wyler
Yeah, I know. He gets that from your mother, I'm afraid. She always worried too much.
Alex Wyler
What are you looking at? [looks at architectural plans]
Simon Wyler
Hmm? Oh, yeah, here, take a gander. It's a proposal for a museum.
Alex Wyler
Who is it?
Simon Wyler
Someone new.
Alex Wyler
Oh, I like the walkways, where the light falls. What are the materials?
Simon Wyler
Granite. Aluminum.
Alex Wyler
White panels are straight out of Meier... but the interior color coming through the front windows, that's different. It's not new, but it's clean, uncluttered. I like it.
Simon Wyler
When was the last time you were in Barcelona?
Alex Wyler
Years ago, with you, Mom and Henry.
Simon Wyler
Do you remember visiting Casa de la Caritat?
Alex Wyler
The almshouse.
Simon Wyler
That's right. You mentioned Meier. His Barcelona museum stands in the same area as Casa de la Caritat. It drinks the same light. Meier designed a series of louvered skylights to capture that light and cast it inward to illuminate the art within, but indirectly. And, that was important, because although light enhances art, it can also degrade it. But, you know all that already, you son of a gun. Now, this... where do you suppose this is to be built?
Alex Wyler
I have no idea.
Simon Wyler
Oh, but you said you liked it.
Alex Wyler
Conceptually.
Simon Wyler
Now, come on. You know as well as I do that the light in Barcelona is quite different from the light in Tokyo. And, the light in Tokyo is different from that in Prague. A truly great structure, one that is meant to stand the tests of time never disregards its environment. A serious architect takes that into account. He knows that if he wants presence, he must consult with nature. He must be captivated by the light. Always the light. Always.
