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House of D
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MPAA RATING: PG-13 for sexual and drug references, thematic elements and language
Starring Anton Yelchin, Téa Leoni, David Duchovny, Robin Williams, Erykah Badu, Magali Amadei, Harold Cartier, and Mark Margolis
A comical and touching story of a man looking back at his childhood in 1970s Greenwich Village. Vividly capturing the spirit of youth in all its joy and heartbreak, House of D examines with humor and pathos a boy's harrowing coming of age and the manner in which it defines his adulthood. (Lions Gate Films)
| GENRE(S): | Drama |
| WRITTEN BY: | David Duchovny |
| DIRECTED BY: | David Duchovny |
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: October 4, 2005 Video: October 4, 2005 Theatrical: April 15, 2005 |
| RUNNING TIME: | 97 minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: | USA |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this movie is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Pat C. gave it a4:
A good story, perhaps a very good story, but poorly told, perhaps very poorly told.
bill c. gave it a3:
Even giving it a three is generous. I wanted to like this, the talent is there, the basic story could make a good film.It's just told in a matter that is slow,dis-jointed and uninteresting.
camden l gave it a7:
David duchovney is impressive as a writer/director, but his acting holds this film back.
Anette M. gave it a10:
This movie is one of the best I've ever seen. It has heart and feelings in it. I really enjoyed watching this movie. I'm impressed of David Duchovny's work and I'm looking forward to his new projects.
Mark B. gave it a3:
How on earth does the same movie manage to come across as so heartfelt and so phony at the same time? Sensitive coming-of-age sagas are notoriously difficult to pull off anyway, and first-time writer/director David Duchovny does himself no good to attempt one: his casting of Anton Yelchin as Tommy further renders Duchovny's self-imposed task even more futile because the kid sounds like he's getting ready to do a night of Borscht Belt standup every time he opens his mouth. The moviegoers and critics who unjustly slammed Tea Leoni's honest portrayal of a very complex character in James L. Brooks' Spanglish will find plenty more to gnaw away at here; there's something really creepy not only in Duchovny's casting of his own wife to play Tommy's mother but having the lad spend his nights under his bed and including two (!!) scenes in which she interrupts him in the shower. (There's a controversial issue involving Leoni's character that's been a big headline news item and the partial subject of some recent high-profile movies, but rest assured that House of D isn't going to build the audience necessary to get its treatment of it any op-ed space whatsoever.) Even allowing for the fact that House of D deals with adolescence, there's enough gratuitous and tiresome sex talk in this PG-13 to rival any Porky's movie; what ultimately saves this film from Razzie status are good supporting performances by Frank Langella, Robin Williams (in a difficult role he pulls off with total sincerity but an absolute lack of sentimentality)...and, yes, Duchovny himself as the adult Tommy. Even better is singer Erykah Badu who, restyling her trademark big hair, plays a women's prison inmate and mentor to Tommy who makes me wonder if the only thing MY childhood really lacked was or wasn't a wise and witty Black female convict to shout Life Lessons to me from a high window. It's difficult to completely dislike any movie that so clearly preaches the importance of treating one another with kindness and compassion, but in words Duchovny will certainly understand, "The truth is out there...but it sure ain't here."
Philip Z. gave it a6:
House of D is clearly a labor of love for director David Duchovny. It's a film with a lot of heart and that's what caused me to overlook its many flaws. Robin Williams' performance has been unjustly panned, I thought it was endearing. The story it tells has been told many times and the way its told isn't terribly original but it is still pleasant enough to make it enjoyable.
Justice T. gave it a7:
When someone as iconic as Mr. Duchovny steps behind the camera and shoots the picture they wrote, there is always a different level of expectation. Now step away from the man who you have come to know and treat this as a film from an unknown quantity. You will be better served. The movie brought so many memories to the surface that I appreciated, I think I may be more willing to look beyond its largest failings - its tendency towards quick resolution whether it be in the present or the past and its complete failure at the dialogue for the adults in the movie. I am not offended when a writer or director uses cliches to success. Not only did I feel thirteen all over again, I felt like I was watching a film made during the 70s. The coloring, the dialogue of the children, the timely and pointed references. And, yes, I got caught up in the drama because I was allowed to laugh at the realities. If you love Independant film, you will appreciate this. If you can't wait for Ashton Kutcher's next film, go see some billion dollar movie that the studios hope you will want a sequel to. The House Of D was not made for you.
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