Customer Reviews

Man of the House [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Tommy Lee Jones executive produced this surprisingly charming movie. When I saw the trailer, I thought this would be a fluff police partner movie that takes place in a sorority house. I was wrong. Tommy Lee Jones plays a Texas Ranger whose partner, a young woman Texas Ranger, is shot during a mission to bring back a witness to testify against a powerful criminal. When the witness escapes and gets killed in an alley, Tommy Lee must protect the only witnesses to this crime - 5 cheerleaders from A&M University. They are everything he isn't - young, girlish, fun-loving, and peppy. That's where the humor lies. But because of Tommy Lee Jones' daddy-like wisdom and perspective, this movie does not turn into another teen comedy. It becomes more of an eye-opening look at generational differences, cheerleader stereotypes, police stereotypes, and honor. Not much publicity surrounds this movie so it will fall under the radar. Nonetheless, if you want to see a movie of substance, but still get some elements of contemporary Hollywood movie themes - great-looking actors, action, humor, and a love story, then see this movie. It is better than the trailer.

I really expected the first 15 minutes to be humorous with cute jokes based on the obvious contrasts between the looks and demeanor of Tommy Lee Jones and a group of big-time cheerleaders who are all female, but it stays funny and actually has substance woven into it. I am not a professional reviewer so I can't dissect this movie to explain why it works. Could it be that Tommy Lee Jones and Ann Archer are good at their chosen careers? While certainly cute and funny, the cheerleaders were just serious enough not to make a mockery of the movie's concept.

True, the story line seems to blend the babes in the pom-pom girl team and the gymnists of the cheerleader squad into one group, but that's Hollywood.

And, just for the record: the school in question is NEITHER Texas A&M nor Texas State (both fine schools) but the University of Texas...Longhorns...that's why there are longhorns painted on the girls' cheeks and just about everywhere the camera points in Austin, Texas, where the campus of the University of Texas is located. That's why so many people in the movie are seen holding their hands in an otherwise very curious display of fingers. And, that's why the colors burnt orange and white are awash on screen.

For those outside of Texas or those who don't like college sports, this movie would probably rate 3-stars, but I gave it 4 stars to account for a 1-star bonus directed to all those viewers who do like college athletics or have any interest in Texas or Big 12 programs.

This movie is about a bunch of cheerleaders that witness a murder that Tommy Jones has to take care of. The girls always walk around in short clothes and Tommy struggles with the concept of he has to live with these women cheerleaders and he also cant find a way to talk to his daughter and these cheerleaders help him do that. and Also help him with a date he has. If you like that type of stuff this movie is for you. Its funny to me but everyone has an opinion

Tommy Lee Jones is one of the best actors out there today. What makes him so great is his dry humor. He can look and act serious even during the funniest moments, making him the funniest character in most of his films. With "Man of the House," Mr. Jones brings this talent into a new arena: the cheerleader film.
"Man of the House" would be a drab if not for Jones. The girls are funny at times, as is Cedric the Entertainer. But it is Jones, and Jones alone, that makes this film as good as it is.
If you enjoy the works of Tommy Lee Jones, then this film is definitely for you!
Movie/DVD Grade: A-

I saw the film because of Tommy Lee Jones and it didn't disappoint a moment. The movie was fast paced with a great music score.

Tommy Lee Jones ended up babysitting 5 cheerleaders as a witness protection programme after the 5 witnessed the murder of a witness of an important criminal case. The 5 girls were positive, not a bit dumb and supported one another all along. How they inspired Tommy Lee Jones to transform from a man who could not express his feelings publicly as a Dad, a lover and a coach into a lovable guy was actually the main theme. Tommy Lee Jones was a natural in the movie. He played his role effortlessly and was so convincing as a straight and competent cop. The 5 girls had great dance sequences and personalities. I liked Christina Milian best among the girls. Her dance was dynamic and energetic. Anne Archer was the credible love interest and I wished her part could be bigger.

The one scene that I couldn't help laughing aloud was when Cedric the Entertainer danced against the 5 girls, trying to perform his old school style of cheer leader dancing. What a hilarious arrangement! If you want to relax and have fun, take this movie.

Tommy Lee Jones stars as a curmudgeonly Texas Ranger tasked to protect a squad of University of Texas cheerleaders who have witnessed a murder. In order, to do this, Jones must move in with them and become 'the man of the house.' He poses as the girls' cheerleading coach.

Jones not only has to cope with protecting the girls against an unknown assailant, he has to cope with everyday problems: homework not getting done, a crush on the part of one of the cheerleading squad, the squad's determination to work as a team--and do their job for their school and the athletes.

In the process of their association, Jones gets in touch with his softer side and the girls use their teamwork skills to help their guardian out of a jam. "Man of the House" is both uproariously funny and touching at the same time. While it's definitely one of Tommy Lee Jones' more low-budget films, I also think Jones has quite a skill at comedy. Also, look for some of the actresses who played in this film to be in starring roles in future ventures.

This movie is great! Our entire family enjoys watching it. Tommy Lee is as charming as ever.

Great film for the whole family. A good comedy with a bit of suspense thrown in.

One dead serious Texas Ranger played by Tommy Lee Jones must protect the five witnesses for the prosecution. And the five witnesses happen to be unruly and bubbly cheerleaders of the Texas University. The story sounds thin and weak, and actually it is much weaker than that of Whoopie Goldberg's hit movie `Sister Act,' but thanks to the dead-pan humor of Tommy Lee Jones, `Man of the House' manages to be an OK entertainment.

From the not-so-great opening including one now stale `cow humiliation' gag, you know the film itself does not take itself seriously. The blend of actions and comedy does not go well, especially when we see embarrassed Cedric the Entertainer holding a very, very dirty cell phone in his hand, and some cardboard characters getting killed in the alley.

The film gets better when it introduces the five cheerleaders. The dialogues exchanged between Tommy Lee Jones' Texas Ranger and the cheerleaders (who just want to have fun even after witnessing killing!) are not particularly witty, some based on the typical wrong idea that cheerleaders are not bright, but still work with Tommy Lee Jones' comic acting that could be seen in `Men in Black.' Actually, you mighty see no difference in two roles, one Roland Sharp Texas Ranger of this film and Agent K in `MIB.' I rememered Robert DeNiro who is virtually doing the same dead-serious comic turn since `Analyze This.'

The cheerleaders you see here are intentionally stereotyped ones, so don't expect that Monica Keena, Kelli Garner, Christina Millian, Paula Garces, and Vanessa Ferlito do real cheerleading. They are there as eye-candy, and though one of them seems to adore Tommy Lee's character, the director seems to have chosen to just drop the theme. After all, when Tommy Lee Jones meets them, and another elder female character, professor of literature played Ann Archer, the film has nothing to do except for showing funny bits of comedy (like those of TV sitcoms) about the clashing egos between the man and the girls, which are certainly enjoyable to see, and some obligatory set-pieces that keeps the story moving, which ends with a predictable conclusion.

The director is Stephen Herek, whose CV includes `The Might Ducks' Charlie Sheen's `The Three Musketeers' `Holy Man' and `Rock Star.' And don't forget `Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.' If you have seen any of these fairly entertaining, but otherwise undistinguished films, you know what you will see in `Man of the House.' Take it for what it is, and enjoy it.

I like Tommy Lee Jones, I know the pundits panned the movie as poor, but I find it funny and serious parts. Being a Texas ranger (Jones) and having to protect college cheerleaders from a bad guy and pretending to be their coach is funny, but the girls and Jones come around to understand each other and the girls help save his daughter in the end shows that they are made of the right stuff.