| The House of Yes | | Cast : | Parker Posey, Josh Hamilton | | Director : | Mark Waters (VIII) | | Studio : | Miramax Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, DTS Surround Sound, Widescreen | | Released Date : | October 10, 1997 | | DVD Released Date : | June 01, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 01, 2004 | | Summary | Time to hide the kitchen knives and hope for the best | Content
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The credits of "The House of Yes" take us back and forth from black & white film of Jackie Kennedy giving her famous televised tour of the White House and color home movies of a young girl (Rachel Leigh Cook) dressed like Jackie and providing a similar tour of her own home. We quickly learn that the night JFK was shot, the father of the young girl and her unseen twin brother behind the camera, disappeared. In the present the young girl, known as Jackie-O (Parker Posey) has recently returned from a mental institution and is excited that her twin brother Marty (Josh Hamilton) is returning home for Thanksgiving in 1983. Unfortunately Marty has brought home a fianc?, Lesly (Tori Spelling), and this does nothing good for Jackie-O's sanity. All her mother (Genevi?ve Bujold) can do is "baste the turkey and hide the kitchen knives."
The problem is that Jackie and Marty are very close twins. Their mother explains to Lesly that that when they emerged from the womb Jackie was holding on to Marty's penis and as this film develops we learn she still has a rather unhealthy attachment to both it and him. Throw into the mix another brother, Anthony (Freddie Prinze Jr.) who takes a liking to Lesly and there is just no end to how badly this Thanksgiving can go. At one point Anthony explains to Lesly that she is the first guest ever to spend the night in the house, which should be enough to send her fleeing from the Pascual residence, but that comes later.
The Pascuals are one of those unhappy families that is unhappy in a peculiarly sick little way. The opening credits inform us that "The House of Yes" was based on a play by Wendy MacLeod and as soon as the dialogue begins you certainly hear the staginess of the words. But it makes sense to me that this story of twins obsessed with incest and the Kennedy assassination was originally a play, because the black comedy probably worked even better in that context. The humor here is warped, to say the least, but the cast is in fine former and makes it easier for us to laugh.
Posey is the star of the show (her performance received special recognition for acting at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival), gleefully enjoying Jackie-O's insanity, starting with her frantic response to Marty's introduction of Lesly as his fianc?. The only one who can go toe to toe with her is Marty, which probably explains why he is so important to her. It is why he continues to act out the JFK assassination with her and get physical that remains a mystery. Prinze turns in a performance that makes me think of a mellower Anthony Perkins, while Bujold keeps urging everybody to just jump ahead to the obvious ending, where Lesly goes away so that Marty and Jackie-O can apparently live happily ever after. Even the casting of Spelling works in this case, although undoubtedly a big surprise to the many who cast aspirations on her acting career.
"The House of Yes" will not be to everyone's taste, but that is what happens when you combine incest and the Kennedy assassination. The situation is surreal enough that you do not take it seriously, but you can still understand why some people are going to give up on this one early on or not even start it once they know what it is about. As a play I would have associated this with some of those I saw during the 1970s, which is why I am probably open to this sort of storyline: I have seen stranger and weirder things. But if you watch "The House of Yes" what you are going to remember in the end are the performances and not the plot.
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| Rating | | | Date | May 10, 2004 | | Summary | "Do They Have Paintings In Pennsylvania?" | Content
| I thought this movie was great! It's definitely for the more cultured and intillectual movie-goer. It's probably the best dark comedy I've ever seen (only to rival the masterpiece that is "Heathers"). The dialog in this movie with leave you with one-liners for years to come. After seeing "Party Girl" I fell in love with Parker Posey, and when I saw this I loved her even more. This instantly became one of my favorite movies of all time, but then again I'm a huge fan of good dark comedies and I have a sick sense of humor. Everyone I know absolutely loved this move (including my MOM!) In any event, this is a definite must-see for any fan of Parker Posey and dark comedy. Excellent. |
| Rating | | | Date | May 09, 2004 | | Summary | Dark Comedy at its. . . almost best | Content
| The House of Yes is not for the average movie go-er (such as people who prefer, say, summer blockbusters to indie films), but for those who appreciate (and can sit through) a film peppered with quick banter, taboo insinuations (i.e. incest), and comedic satire. I enjoyed Parker Posey's portrayl of a mentally-unbalanced woman who impersonates Jackie O. that cannot escape the feelings of oneness and amorous love for her twin brother. It is a smart, sassy look at dysfunction, but dysfunction from a surrealist point of view. Tori Spelling's acting is terrible, as I wanted Jackie O. to kill her and be done with it all. Yes, there isn't enough underlying "tension" between the characters and what's at stake is marginal at best, but for 85 minutes, the dialog and interesting story line will set you spinning. |
| Rating | | | Date | November 16, 2003 | | Summary | a cult devour | Content
| This is a cult devour and detour from the normal Hollywood formula but that does not mean it is free from melodramas and other histrionics. This movie is actually extremely watch-able - but for some selected audience only. First of all if you are not American then you will not understand the love between American population and the Kennedy family and backdrop or the canvas of the movie is that fatal attraction. If you have liked "blue velvet" then you will enjoy this movie. Actually it is very difficult for any non-American to enjoy this movie like it is very difficult for Americans to enjoy Kawabata. Parker Posey and Josh Hamilton has done an excellent job in the characterizing a family disaster. The movie revolves around this painful mistake. Definitely Mark Waters had to do this movie with a very limited budget and limited resources so taking that into account I will say it is extremely well made. Waters has treated a subject like incest very bravely and never looses the flow of the story line. My recommendation will be to rent the movie but please do not look in Blockbuster look in some local Indy store |
| Rating | | | Date | August 13, 2003 | | Summary | This movie and cocktails makes a fabulous friday night | Content
| If you have appreciation for dark comedies, this one takes the cake!! This movie has such marvelous dialogue, you can watch it repeatedly. Parker Posey is butter. The only problem with this movie is that it isn't longer. Watch this movie with some vodka cocktails, and have a blast!! |
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