2017’s “The House”, directed by Andrew Jay Cohen.
Starring Will
Farrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas, Ryan Simpkins, Nick Kroll, Allison
Tolman, and Rob Huebel.
What is it about?
Farrell and Poehler star as a couple who’s daughter (Ryan
Simpkins) has been accepted into university. They are excited about the
prospects of her attending, especially since she is eligible for a town
sponsored scholarship. However, at the city’s town hall, the councilman (Nick
Kroll) announces that the town spent too much money on a luxury pool (when he
is in fact embezzling) and therefore cannot cover the yearly scholarship. Broke and desperate
for their daughter to attend post secondary, Farrell and Poehler meet up with
their degenerate friend (Jason Mantzoukas), and decide to run a casino from his
house. Will they be able to ensure that “the house always wins”, or will they
come up rolling sevens?
Why is it worth seeing?
“The House” is not interested in aiming very high with it's stakes, playing
slots when it could be playing baccarat. Farrell and Poehler are practically
living legends, but here their talent largely is put to waste, alongside the up
and coming Mantzoukas. And the plot, while somewhat original (“Boiler Room” is
the only other flick I can remember that depicts casino-like gambling from one’s home),
it’s premise/resolution is a clunky cliche, stuff that feels like it
was shuttled in from the Las Vegas strip. There are certainly funny scenes (that will make you delighted to have your fingers), but
also the opposite where the jokes go bust and even at times don’t make sense.
Having scenes inspired from “Casino” and other mob gambling movies feel like
the rip offs they are, and the character development can be a little difficult
to believe. As well, some of the editing can be terrible at times, hastily chopped together like one of Mantzoukas' schemes. With all of that in mind, “House”’s biggest sin is being
forgettable. It’s easy to want to see the characters develop, but when the
credits roll it’s tough to remember much else about the ride you’ve just taken.
Ultimately, it will come to wondering if one should have let it ride, or cashed their chips in
while they were ahead.
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