X
- 1992
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 42 m
- 1992
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 42 m
Summary Con artist Gwen moves into Newton's empty home without his knowledge and begins setting up house, posing as his new wife.
Directed By: Frank Oz
Written By: Mark Stein, Brian Grazer
- 1992
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 42 m
- 1992
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 42 m
HouseSitter
52
6.3
Where to Watch
Summary Con artist Gwen moves into Newton's empty home without his knowledge and begins setting up house, posing as his new wife.
Directed By: Frank Oz
Written By: Mark Stein, Brian Grazer
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 24 Critic Reviews
52
46% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
33% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
21% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 24 Critic Reviews
52
46% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
33% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
21% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Another slyly intelligent, extremely funny comedy of character that blazes new thematic trails and provides an irresistible showcase for its stars, Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn. [12 June 1992]
Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin make Housesitter worth sitting through. While no Hepburn and Tracy, the pair still transform this overly contrived screwball romp into an inspired game of charades. [12 July 1992, p.4D]
For a romantic comedy, there's little in the way of romance, but the film's strength lies in the escalating lies concocted by Gwen as she struggles to maintain a toehold on her new life. Although it doesn't add up to a whole, and screenwriter Mark Stein fudges the issue of Gwen's motivation, he does provide some very funny, cheerfully contrived scams.
The most interesting aspect -- the only interesting aspect, really -- of Housesitter's creaky script is the concept of the psychopathic liar, as played by Hawn, who can invent whole life stories under pressure. It's the film's central conceit that the capacity to delude others with long and preposterous fabrications is the one sure sign of character. [12 June 1992, p.G7]
Too much of the film seems unfinished. Almost every four scenes could be condensed into one. The comedy doesn't build to any climax. It just rolls on, with Ms. Hawn doggedly working to create some sense of oddball fun. The characters, as written, are as flimsy as Newton's dream house, which, even though based on a House Beautiful award-winning design, looks less habitable than a billboard. Even its brand-new furnishings are tacky.
The romantic relationship between the two stars is mishandled, and neither is given sufficient funny material. [16 June 1992, p.4D]
The problem is more the overall tone: unpleasant, divisive, snarling and deceptive.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 6 User Ratings
6.3
50% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
50% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 6 User Ratings
6.3
50% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
50% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
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