When Stewart and I arrived at the theater Wednesday evening for the screening of THE HOUSE, we were asked not to post our review of the comedy until midnight Thursday, preferably Friday, after the movie opened to the public. Generally, a review is to help market the film and build audiences. We agreed to hold back, however, we did wonder why.
The film was described as a comedy about Scott and Kate Johansen (Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler), a middleclass suburban couple who must figure out a way to earn some money after their daughter’s scholarship (to the university of her choice) falls through. When all else fails, the desperate couple join forces with their down-on-his-luck neighbor Frank (Jason Mantzoukas), to start an underground casino in his home.
With over-the-top emoting, ridiculous dialogue, and out-stretched plausibility of both family and community dynamics, some of the visual antics in the movie did evoke an occasional snicker. But, after thirty minutes listening to f-bombs floating from the mouths of the infantile adults, Stewart and I understood why we were asked not to post our review until after the movie was released.
Directed by Andrew Jay Cohen
Cast:
Will Ferrell – Scott Johansen (husband of Kate, father of Alex)
Amy Poehler – Kate Johansen (wife of Scott, mother of Alex)
Jason Mantzoukas – Frank Theodorakis, Scott’s best friend
Nick Kroll – Bob, troublemaker
Jeremy Renner – Tommy
Ryan Simpkins – Alex Johanson (Scott & Kate’s daughter)
Allison Tolman – Dawn (financial advisor)
Michaela Watkins – Raina Theodorakis (Frank’s ex-wife)
Cedric Yarbrough – new gambler
Jessie Ennis – Rachel (Alex’s best friend)
Frank Gerrish – Butcher