‘Dream House’ is not exactly a nightmare

Dream House, the new thriller from director Jim Sheridan, was asking for failure. By not screening for critics before the film hit movie theaters, the Daniel Craig flick essentially wrote its own obituary.

Perhaps then it comes as a surprise to report Dream House isn’t that bad. Sure, it’s not great either. But Craig, Sheridan and company hardly have a turkey on their hands that needs to be shielded from the scrutiny of the press.

The movie, which was unfairly advertised as a horror film, isn’t terribly original and the execution is intermittently effective. But, as a whole, Dream House is passably enjoyable. That’s not exactly a winning endorsement, but it’s also not a condemnation.

Will (Craig) is a man looking to reclaim his family. He quits his prestigious book-publishing job in New York City and moves into a new house in the countryside. Libby (Oscar winner Rachel Weisz) is his wife, and the picture-perfect couple has two picture-perfect daughters (Taylor Geare and Claire Geare). Their new life looks to be a promising one.

But then strange things begin to occur (this is Hollywood, after all). So as not to spoil anything, I’ll stop with the plot summary right there.

Dream House isn’t a haunted house tale, and it’s also not a traditional ghost tale. Instead, it finds a balance between bona fide thriller and mysterious macabre. Think The Others with Nicole Kidman meets Identity with John Cusack, although Dream House can’t match the excellence of those two films.

The acting is all top-notch. Craig is believable as an accomplished business man seeking some family time. Weisz is particularly skillful as the loyal wife. Naomi Watts turns up as a neighbor with a secret. To be honest, her character feels rather underdeveloped and doesn’t quite fit into the whole scheme of the picture. I couldn’t stop thinking: Man, this guy is lucky to have Rachel Weisz as a wife and Naomi Watts as a neighbor. Who’s his mail carrier, Julia Roberts?

Sheridan, working from a paint-by-numbers script by David Loucka, never leaves any of his personal touch on the film. It’s a straight-up who-dun-it thriller with a few clever twists (most of which are ruined in Dream House’s advertising campaign). It’s actually a conundrum why Sheridan even took this project. The Oscar-nominated director is much more at home with personal dramas and independent films.

You won’t be scared watching Dream House; however, you will be thrilled to a point. There is an earned sense of interest in the outcome of this story. But don’t invest yourself too much. The payoff is minimal and much of the late-stage plotting is weak.

Dream House isn’t a dream, but it’s also not a nightmare. Classify this one as definitive OK movie.

• Dream House

• 2011

• Directed by Jim Sheridan

• Written by David Loucka

• Starring Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz

• Running time: 92 minutes

• Rated PG-13 for violence, terror, some sexuality and brief strong language

• Rating: