House of D (2004)

This is a touching comedy about a young man's coming of age under some unusual circumstances. Much of the inspiration for the film came from Mr. Duchovny's own childhood. Growing up in New York became the focus for the setting of the picture. Using the House of D or Women's House of Detention makes the movie into a period piece, as it was closed in 1974. Duchovny has written and directed a tender film that could have turned into a "chick flick" but missed that low water mark with wit, style and insight. Not to be missed are some brilliant performances by cast members Robin Williams, Tea Leoni, Anton Yelchin, Erykah Badu and the lovely Zelda Williams. It's is difficult to believe that Anton Yelchin is only 14 years old. This young man is one to watch. Mr. Duchovny himself makes all too brief appearances in this charming and delightful film. A must see.

Fmovies: The answer to that question is: "kinda." His directorial debut isn't dishonorable, but it is not something that you'd take right off the shelf to your friend and say "this is good" without the tinge of sarcasm. It's a nostalgic piece of possibly semi-autobiographical storytelling that is full of pap and melancholy and, yes, a retarded Robin Williams performance. But some of the cast, like Duchovney's wife Tea Leoni, pull through reasonably well, and I liked some of the 1970s touches (the soundtrack mostly). It's about a young boy (Anton Yelchin, a rising talent) growing up in Greenwich village with his depressive, widow mother, and his one friend being janitor named Pappas (Williams) who does things even if they aren't the right thing to do (no, not in the sexual way ::frowns::) It's certainly not a bad movie, and I was kept in the mood to watch the movie once I tuned in to see how Yelchin's character would turn out, or how Duchovney, playing the adult version, would come back to reconcile his past. But it's sure to say that Duchovney is more assured as director than writer; a lot of his ideas become cluttered in the thick of the plot, and at times it's very awkward, and not always in the good comedic sensibility (Williams stumbles more than once in the character, though it's hard to say if he's annoying inasmuch as its written for him). I suppose if Duchovney tries again behind the camera, perhaps with someone else's script, he'll fare much better. He made a personal movie, independently done, and it once or twice verges to the touching momentum it wants to build to. It's also ham-fisted and 'meh' for a lot of the time.

This story is about acceptance, and the coexistence of strengths and weaknesses that we all struggle to understand. The central character makes the best of an unfair hand he's dealt, and the basic character of this film is inspiring. The cleverness of the humor, the courageous use of the unabashedly implausible, gives us the lyricism of SESAME STREET or Hans Christian Anderson, with grit and passion. Zelda Williams (daughter of Robin), Frank Langella, Tea Leoni, Anton Yelchin, Erykah Badu, (the always great) Orlando Jones, David Duchovny and Robin Williams all bring us bar-raising performances. If you liked TERMS OF ENDEARMENT or A DOOR IN THE FLOOR, you'll love HOUSE OF D. The brilliant truth-bell ringing details are charming and plentiful. And it is a lovely, intimate gesture that the filmmaker shares a story that can only be believed in its meaning because it's in part a true story. It is very logical that someone might need to tell a story if they had spent a childhood and adolescence imagining the events behind the closed walls and tiny windows of a prison filled with women who've lost their way. And he passes this house of detention on the way to the realities behind the closed doors of his home. HOUSE OF D is like sitting down with an acquaintance, being touched and sometimes very amused by his secrets, and coming away loving him, embracing him and really rooting for him.

House of D fmovies. I was quite impressed with David Duchovney's writing and directing. The script provides light moments that create laughter along with realistic portrayals of true life incidents which create drama.

But, the primary reason for enjoying the movie was as much Robin Williams' excellent performance as the script. I am so impressed by the talent of Robin Williams, who is noted for making all of us laugh with continuous antics. In "House of D" he not only makes the audience laugh but also cry with his brilliant depiction of a disadvantaged adult.

Whenever a movie, such as "House of D," can create enjoyment by taking the audience through an array of emotions, from anger to joy through drama and comedy I rate the movie a 10.

We struggle to grow up all our lives. Many grow old without doing the work involved in truly growing up. We mistakenly think that growing up just happens to us, when in fact that very passivity is what causes us to grow old without ever actually maturing. Growing up requires conscious personal effort. House Of D is about such a man, who in middle age, with a 13 year old son, realizes he is beginning to grow old without having grown up. As his son crosses the threshold to manhood, Tom (Duchovny) makes the decision to confront & resolve the issues that caused him to retreat into himself at 13 rather than advancing into real manhood.

I enjoy Duchovny's acting, and he handled his on screen time capably in the second part of the film. However, the establishing scenes were slightly awkward & stilted. The film only begins to show its spirit when we flash back to New York City 1973.

Anton Yelchin portrays the young Tommy, and has a staggering amount of potential to grow into as an artist. Duchovny has a great feel for directing young people, a task known to be notoriously difficult. There are also some embarrassingly terrible performances, from Robin Williams & Tea Leoni. Williams falls off the horse right at the outset of his portrayal of the 'retarded' Pappass and never manages to get back on again. It seems to be partly poor definition in the writing of the character, and partly the actor's failure to connect with & breathe life into him. This despite a clear on screen rapport between himself & Yelchin. It mars what would have otherwise been a better film. Tea Leoni's performance adds nothing to her career or to the film. It isn't a portrayal, rather a thumbnail sketch. Leoni is an actress of limited ability, who needs strong direction to deliver a capable performance. It was a mistake to have her in the film, as she too succeeds in diminishing it, delivering what comes across as a deliberately bad performance. Leoni's appearance also embarrasses because she is Duchovny's wife and one or both of them should've known better than to allow this.

I was disappointed Frank Langella, undoubtedly the best actor in the movie, had so little to do. His few scenes are wonderful. A pleasure to see Orlando Jones, albeit briefly. Erykah Badu's singing is sublime, and she delivers a strong, warm performance.

Other performances ranged from adequate to forgettable.

Most of the music in the film is decent and well placed.

Duchovny has the potential to be a fine director. This was already known to those who enjoyed the episodes of X-Files he directed. Does he expand his directing skills in House of D? Yes. He shows a real flair for directing young actors, which I had never previously suspected. Duchovny scored high with inexperienced young actors, evoking clean, impressive performances, from Yelchin in particular; but low with veterans Williams & Leoni.

The writing is wildly uneven. Inventive, clever, inspired, insightful & touching in places. At other times it fails to ring true, and some of the plot devices are frankly ludicrous. It's almost as though 2 completely different people worked on the screenplay without ever meeting or actually engaging in a collaboration. I found this a little disconcerting at times. I know Duchovny is a better than average writer, so the unevenness of the script, and the bizarre disjointed quality, had me scratching my head more than once. I wonder what the screenplay originally looked like. D

House of D is a fine film with a lot of humor and many touching moments.

I saw a showing of it in Cambridge and, while it was not very well attended, the audience who was there seemed to enjoy it. There was a lot of laughter at appropriate moments and applause at the end. Also, the comments I overheard were all positive.

The movie isn't perfect, but the writing is so fresh and and powerful. It seems not enough good is being said about it, perhaps due to lack of courage to go against some of the important names, but what do I have to lose? I thought Tea Leone's performance was heartfelt and painfully accurate in her portrayal of a young mother who'd recently lost her husband.

Every shot of Erykha Badu was beautiful, as well. I never realized what an amazing face that woman has.

There were moments of sheer brilliance, in my opinion, that I won't spoil in this space. Moments where boyhood and manhood are juxtaposed and the struggle between the two physically hurts.

All in all, I felt it was very real, very touching, and very well done. The mixture of comedy and drama is as it is life, tied together with strands of reality.

I would recommend you go to see this film with an open heart and mind. I don't think you'll be disappointed.