Customer Reviews

Houseguest [VHS]

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The comic genius and timing of stars Sinbad and Phil Hartman take what could have been a run-of-the-mill dumb comedy film and turn it into a wonderfully likeable tour-de-force. The premise has been done time and time again, it's basically a "fish out of water" story. Yes, the gangsters are dumb almost to the point where they're annoying. Sure, we see the message coming from a mile away.

But there are a few things that separate this film from other comedies, and elevate to the status of excellence. First of all, it's hilarious. There are few jokes that don't work and they are immediately forgotten as this fast-paced romp wastes no time. The speed-up of scenes and the quick editing (several shots seem to last for no longer than a few seconds) do get a slight bit irritating, but it serves its purpose by catering to the fast-paced story and Sinbad's style of comedy. Take for instance, the party scene in which Sinbad is explaining what the "GFH" on his suit jacket stands for. Slow down the scene, and it loses the humor.

Since the McDonald's issue has been cited again and again in reviews with varying degrees of criticism, let me address it briefly. First of all, there are a lot of people who love to eat McDonald's food. It's not healthy for you, but you'd be lying if you say that it tastes awful. Now, Sinbad's character is established as the lazy, unhealthy, always-eating slacker from the very beginning as he comes home to his apartment and enjoys his McDonald's and 2 liter bottle of soda. The real Derek Bond is completely contrasted with the impostor Derek Bond's lifestyle. Hence the fish out of water comedy. Sinbad's character is put in a desperate situation where he assumes this other man's life and the man he is pretending to be is the complete opposite of him. He's got a successful career as a dentist and he maintains a strict diet of vegetables and muescli cereal. So, when Sinbad's Kevin Franklin character, in this awkward and unfamiliar situation of staying with a suburban family's house and pretending to be someone who everyone expects to be a health-conscious stuffy professional, manages to escape for a moment and sees the familiar golden arches, he's so happy that he feels like he's in a commercial. He knows McDonald's and in many places, McDonald's seems to be an unchanging, constant source of familiar greasy food. McDonald's works in the context of the film because it's a real fast-food place that we can relate to, because we've all eaten there at one time or another. To me, if there was some fictional place like "Lou's Hamburgers", it wouldn't work. The character design might come through, but there could be no jingle resounding in our heads, and it'd take you out of the reality of the story (which I discuss in next paragraph). Yes, McDonald's is a real fast-food joint, and Kevin Franklin loves to eat there. Does that make "Houseguest" a McDonald's commercial? I don't think that it does, I think it maintains an element of reality that we as viewers can relate to. Perhaps we needn't always be so cynical as some professional film critics are.

Now, I mention the 'reality' of "Houseguest" and you must think I'm absolutely crazy. Houseguest is an unrealistic film that requires you to throw logic out the door entirely if you wish to enjoy it, right? Well, not necessarily. I think looking back at this film, eight years after it was made, we can look at the family suburban life depicted, and notice the real-ness of the characters. Phil Hartman's character Gary Young is a hard-working businessman at a law firm. He sucks up to his boss and the boss's wife and spends more time with his job than his family. Gary's wife tries to be there for her family, but she's taken on a career with frozen yogurt stores and it's turning out to be far more time-consuming than she imagined.

Then, there are the three children. The oldest girl is distancing herself from her family, trying to find comfort in a "Goth" phase, taking pleasure from sad poetry and a boyfriend who seems to think that he's a tough kid from the hood. The middle child is the only son, Jason. He tries to win his father's approval by playing basketball and hoping to be good. The youngest daughter seems not to be getting any attention, either. Her busy parents don't have time for her, and she's been getting lessons from television programs instead.

The dysfunctional middle-class family serves as a foil for Kevin Franklin, pretending to be someone he is not, who will ultimately find the desire to help these people, who have unknowingly opened up their home to him, a complete stranger. Kevin Franklin doesn't have a job, a family, or kids, and yet it his interactions with the Young family that allow both them and he to better themselves.

Now, if you've seen the movie, you're probably reading this and thinking, "This guy's nuts. He's completely overanalyzing some stupid comedy." Well, perhaps I am. "Houseguest" is indeed a silly, hectic fish-out-of-water comedy; somewhat formulaic, but very much successful. However, to dismiss the film as 'bad' or a 'stupid comedy' is a superficial assessment of a film that really has a lot going for it.

Sure, the film is glossy and not without faults, but then, so is life and the people that we interact with. "Houseguest" is a winning comedy, and one of my favorite films of the 1990s. It presents laughs but also provides a realistic look at individual and family life in the '90s, even if this comes out of an unrealistic set-up of a man assuming another identity to avoid the mob.

And now, "Houseguest" is finally on DVD. There's nothing in the way of extras, not even the very cool theatrical trailer. The retail price is a bit high, but fortunately the film is presented in anamorphic widescreen and an adequate Dolby Surround track. Audio and video quality aren't oustanding, but they're good enough and I'm pleased to have this film in my DVD collection. Much-maligned and underappreciated, "Houseguest" is a gem of a family comedy that I certainly hope you will give a chance. Or if you initially didn't like it, some more thought on these matters and maybe a second chance.

for anyone wondering about technical/bonus features on this dvd. there are no bonus features. however, it is in widescreen, not full(16x9). as buena vista(disney)seems to like witholding this kind of info about their releases, it may help you make your purchasing decision.

In "Houseguest," Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) stars as a houseguest that wasn't supposed to be a houseguest. Kevin is in trouble with a few people and they threaten to kill him if he doesn't give them $50,000 the next day. Kevin ends up pretending to be a long lost friend of Gary (Phil Hartman) and his family. Kevin is going to be a houseguest for awhile just so he can stay away from the madmen that he's in trouble with. But to be the family's houseguest, he has to pretend to be the REAL long lost friend of Gary, and also pretend to be what Gary's real friend is known for, for being one of the best dentists there are.

I don't see why "Houseguest" isn't a lot more popular than it is, it's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen without a doubt, and I've seen a lot of great comedy movies. Sinbad provides most of the laughs with his crazy antics. I couldn't quit laughing at the part when Sinbad washes his hands with novacaine and he finds out that his hands are real numb while he's pretending to be a dentist. But that's far from being the only hilarious part of the movie. "Houseguest" is hilarious all the way from when he first becomes the houseguest at the beginning of the movie all the way to the song that talks about food in the credits after the movie.

I recommend "Houseguest" to anybody who likes hilarious movies. Whether you like Sinbad or not, you should be able to enjoy this movie a lot.

It's about time that Houseguest made it to DVD! This is a very funny movie.

Sinbad pretends to be an old friend of Phil Hartman and movies in with Phil and his family to hide from some bad guys that are after him. As usual, Hartman plays the straight guy, and Sinbad is the goofy funny man. Anyway, some hilarious hijinks occur as Sinbad tries to fit in with Hartman and Hartman's upper crust friends.

Buy this DVD if you want to laugh!!!

This was one of the funniest movies I've seen. Sinbad and Phil Hartman made a great duo. It was funny from beginning to end.

Most family movies seem hastily thrown together but HOUSEGUEST is an exception. The dialogue sparkles, the direction isn't just 2-takes-and-go, the cinematography is whackily speeded up in some places and the editing is rapid fire. And unlike most family movies, it lasts for 110 minutes. That's about half an hour longer than is usual. I know this hardly seems like a valid point but I reckon it proves the movie's got more content than fart jokes etc.

My only gripe is the obvious McDonalds plugging about 40 minutes in. If you can just turn away for these 10 seconds then it's not so bad. It's a shame that it's there tho because it tarnishes the credibility of the movie.

Sinbad is always good and the late, great Phil Hartman can make any film watchable so they really add to this brilliantly entertaining comedy. Do yourself a favour and watch it. It's not just for kids. I watched my VHS a zillion times and I was so impatient for this DVD to be released.

So it's barebones, but who cares? I'm just glad to have it. The 1.78:1 anamorphic picture is super and the Dolby 2.0 surround track is decent enough. After all this is a dialogue driven comedy but some sound effects and music are presented pretty well. My subwoofer even go a big kick from a gunshot near the end.

Pick this one up whenever you see it. No matter what age you are, you and your kids will enjoy.

As someone who keeps up with comedy films and comedians I would say that the script, cast(Phil Hartmen and Sinbad in particular) make this movie one of the best. Right up there with Eddie Murphys 48 hours and other earlier movies.

I'm not too big on buying movies however I abs. had to have this one.

I have watched dozens of very good comedy movies; but I have never watched any funnier movie than this one. Kevin Franklin the HOUSEGUST was funny all around from the beginning to the end. My family and I watched this movie about roughly guessing 30 times already!

This movie is cool and by cool I mean totally sweet. How can you not like Houseguest? Sinbad is a comical genius and Phil Hartman is awesome as well. If you don't like this movie then you must have something wrong with you. Honestly...

This is a great family film. Not only is it funny, but it is well acted. Of course we all loved Phil Hartman and miss him dearly, but I think that Sinbad shines in this film. I never really liked him until I saw this movie, but now I think he is great. He's very likeable. The supporting cast also does a great job and this is a very well paced film that will keep your attention and hopefully keep you laughing.

I'm not going to say that this is the funniest movie out there, but for a family comedy this one is a great choice. Phil Hartman and Sinbad make a great team and the movie has a good message about what a true friend is. Throw in some funny moments, some conflict and a good story... and there you have it. A good time for everyone in the entire family. 5 stars for Houseguest.