House of D (2005)

I suspect a lot of these reviews are fabricated. Williams went full retard, there's a wise and soul-singin' black lady prisoner handing wisdom out the window and the sad parts are sooo forced (crying while plucking cigarettes out of the toilet?). Don't waste your time with this movie.

They say David Duchovny took six days to write the script for this movie. That sounds about right.This movie is one of the worst films I've ever seen and I've seen Gigli. It's not as bad as Gigli, but that's like saying Saddam Hussein wasn't as bad as Adolf Hitler.Tom Warshaw has been living in France with his French wife and 13-year old son. He has been pretending to be French all this time. He reveals to his wife that he is actually American. For some reason, this comes as an earth-shattering reveal for her, despite the fact that she always commented on her husband's American accent. Also, their son - remember, he was born in France and never knew his father was American - speaks perfect American English without a hint of French accent. That's just one of several huge plot holes in this movie.The main bulk of the movie is a flashback to Tommy's youth in New York City during the 1970's, as he explains to his wife why he has been hiding in France. His best friend as a boy was Pappas, a retarded adult played terribly by Robin Williams. I assume Duchovny thinks that "retarded" is someone who is just sort of dumb, because Pappas comes off only mildly slow at times, while other times he comes off as just Robin Williams. Yes, Williams actually fits in his tired improv schtick although he is supposed to play a person who is mentally slow.Tommy's mother, played by Duchovny's wife Tea Leoni, is a pill-popping nurse who is distraught over the recent death of her husband. Leoni does a good job, but she mainly just smokes a lot and yells at Tommy for things that don't seem to be too important. The script didn't give her much to work with. Tommy also befriends a lady (whom he calls "Lady") who is in prison and offers him advice through her jail window (this house of detention is called "House of D" for short, thus the title). Tommy has no qualms yelling his personal problems out loud on a city street so this incarcerated felon can offer him advice, and he does so many times without care.I don't want to bore you with the entire summary of the movie, but plot holes are abound in this film that tries way too hard to be touching but comes off as, well, bad. Real bad. Real real bad. Near the end of this train wreck, the script gets cornier and cornier and ends with a laughably crappy ending.Critics tore "House of D" apart and rightfully so. I can't believe some people actually like this movie. It is a painful film to sit through and I felt weak afterwards - not from emotion, but from how terrible it was.

As someone else noted in their review, this is a story about coming to terms, coming to terms with old friends, old lovers, even strangers, but most of all - of course - coming to terms with one's own self. This movie delivers - give me a drum roll please - without undue drama! Without posturing, (too many) clichés, without trying to jerk a tear out of your lacrimal glands no-matter-what-the-price.Other reviews seem mixed and a lot could be said about the acting (which was fine in my opinion, genuine and pleasantly "amateur"-ish in the literal sense of love for the art), the setting (great cinematography and directing transport the viewer to New York in the 70s and immerse the audience into the everyday life back when a nightly bicycle ride through the Park was still possible, pleasant, safe) but this movie's greatest strength is the script.It's a simple story and it is well told. There are no fabulously rich brats and no suffering underdogs who come up on top in the end. There are no car chases, gunshots, explosions and there are no overemotional men and women engaged in all kinds of romantic dramata. It is a simple story about a boy, a boy who has to go away before he can come back. And his poor mama knew - it's all right, boys have to do that. So watch, travel along with Tommy, run away with him to learn how to walk - and dance. And enjoy.--------------------- SOME SPOILERS HERE ------------------ Other reviews and commentators have not touched the script, which I consider the main strength of this film. David Duchovny surprises (me at least) with a story so straight and simple and yet so deep and touching. You will be treated with some good writing, perhaps not a masterpiece but a welcome breath after too much Dan Brown. Expect to cry a little - not because of some great misfortune, not because of heart rending drama. Expect to shed a few tears when you recognize the face in the mirror as your mother. Expect to cry when it is you under the bed, praying for your own safety and that of your parents. Expect finally to sigh a little and well up when it turns out your friends are still out there and they remember you. And your momma was right. And your dad, beneath it all, was the kindest, softest person in the world.Duchovny uses symbols and words masterfully at times to convey simply and realistically what is most difficult to convey: emotions. And yes, the movie ends on an up note, it has a happy ending. Why not? It's OK every now and then to feel a little warmth in your heart.

David Duchovny has crafted a beautifully touching film with House of D. It is a coming-of- age story of sorts as his character narrates what happened to him around his thirteenth birthday. Being that his own son, in France, is now turning into a teenager, he feels that the time is finally right to tell his wife the reality of his past. Much happened to the young Tom Warshaw in the days leading to what should have been a joyous date. He was a standout student in his private Catholic school, hanging with his best friend Pappas, his neighbor who was mentally retarded and employed as a janitor at the school. While being 40 years old, Pappas was basically a 13 year old child as well. Once Tom discovered the fairer sex and began hanging out with a girlfriend, his friend realized he just couldn't follow. Emotions run high as Pappas tries to win back the one person who really treats him as a human being by stealing a bike the two have been saving money for. This one event creates a snowball effect as Tom's life spirals out of control, causing him to need to grow up much quicker than he should have to, making tough decisions which ultimately lead to his life in Paris as a new man.House of D is the feature debut for Duchovny as a writer/director; he proves himself admirably in both positions. The story is nicely balanced between narration and dialogue. We are shown the time of Tom's life that really created him. While the story itself is well-written and uses a believable story arc, making what could have been clichéd contrivances work in the final scope of things, it is the acting that really drives the film. It appears Duchovny is an actor's director, getting amazing performances from stalwart thespians as well as capable newcomers. Téa Leoni is great as Tom's mother who has lost her husband and is working as a nurse to try and bring her son up right, yet can't shake the void in her heart left by the loss; Robin Williams deftly handles the challenges in playing Pappas as he doesn't overdo it, (besides the unnecessary fake teeth), this isn't a showy performance, but instead subtle and emotive; Frank Langella does well as the school's reverend, adding a solid disciplinary figure with some nice comic moments; and relative newcomer—I believe this is his first starring role —Anton Yelchin who balances the angst and premature responsibility for those around him to perfection. Yelchin reminded me of Emile Hirsch, in appearance and personality as both play the older than their years character while still retaining the necessary youth, and both star in the forthcoming Alpha Dog which has garnered good buzz along with an intriguing trailer.Singer Erykah Badu provides a breakthrough role here as well. She has acted in a couple films before, but here she really shines as Tom's guide on high. Imprisoned in the titular House of D, her voice comes down to Yelchin's character with advice among the other prostitutes yelling to their pimps on the street. Helping with girl problems and issues of respecting those you love, Badu delivers her lines with purpose and meaning through the bar cells with only a mirror shard to see him by. When she teaches Tom how to dance one dusky evening, she provides the music for which to gain rhythm from. The scene is light and touching, sowing the seeds of their relationship and the impact she had, although briefly, on his life. This distant bond culminates in a wonderful moment during the dénouement between her and Duchovny where the weight of his past is finally lifted from his shoulders.