David duchovney is impressive as a writer/director, but his acting holds this film back.

Oime good acting, tender scenes, remembrance of the Village landmark The Woman's House of Detention, but a bit maudlin, usual performance by Robin Williams. Not bad for a first attempt. Keep tuned.

An amazing film. The plot and the cast are marvelous. David Duchovny did a wonderdul job. I cried and smiled a lot. My family loved it too. Run, do not walk to see this film. It´s such a special film.

A lovely film. Téa Leoni and Robin Williams are stupends. Anton Yelchin and Zelda Williams are one great surprise. :) David Duchovny is very competent as a writer and director. I´m very grateful to see one film with heart and soul and not another dumb one. Thank you David Duchovny for such a pleasant evening.

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.

A good story, perhaps a very good story, but poorly told, perhaps very poorly told.

Couldn't the talented Duchovny have come up with a better idea than this? It's a string of cliches, despite how well it was directed. For someone who was in the doctoral program in English at Yale, Duchovny seems to have little aptitude at picking scripts, even one he wrote. This one never should have seen the light of day. And need he put his wife in the film? She's been inflicted on moviegoers too much as it is. Oh well, maybe Duchovny's next try will be better. I advise him to study "Garden State." It is everything this film tries to be, and more.… Expand

Wow, am I ever confused by this movie. Stay away, folks.

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."… Expand

House of D is beautifully written and directed by David Duchovny, completely original and wonderfully acted by a marvelous cast. House of D is a genuinely funny, sweet, poignant, touching, coming-of-age story. Duchovny's humor was evident throughout ... and not only big laughs and sweet laughs, but laughs of recognition at, and appreciation of, common foibles. Duchovny effortlessly captured the New York City of his youth and mine ~ 1973. The predominately New York City crowd, who saw the film with me at the Tribeca Film Festival, seemed to especially enjoy the film, recognizing locations around the city. The young Tommy, played by Anton Yelchin, was amazing, touching, fearless and shows remarkable range and depth as an actor. He's a talent to watch. Zelda Williams, in her first film role, was lovely. She shows incredible promise as an actress. She's a delight. Look for her in the future. Yes, she's Robin's daughter and has a very funny scene with young Tommy and Pappas, the character played by her dad. Robin William plays a mildly retarded janitor and his performance is poignant and touching as Tommy's friend and next door neighbor and his toward the end of the film, his scene with David Duchovny as the adult Tommy moved me to tears. Tea Leoni was incandescent as Tommy's mom, a young widow struggling to keep herself together despite her overwhelming grief. She and Anton have some lovely scenes together. Singer/actress Erykah Badu is remarkable as an inmate in the House of D and plays a pivotal character and is a funny and wise counsel for Tommy, who really doesn't have anyone to turn to. Duchovny as adult Tommy and his situation as an man hiding his past is the springboard for the story of pivotal moments in his childhood. House of D puts Duchovny on the map as a gifted screenwriter and director with an breathtakingly original vision and voice. I cannot wait to see it again and hope this is the first of Duchovny's big screen productions.… Expand

A tale. Funny, symbolic, fanciful. Full of love & wonderous performances. Great music. Great message. Courageously made. Think A DOOR IN THE FLOOR-TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. Special.

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.… Expand