Customer Reviews

Open House

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I watched this movie for two reasons: We love True Blood and never miss an episode, and since Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer are featured on the cover, I was interested to see more of their acting. Secondly, because I work in Real Estate and thought the open house premise would be fun. Like an open house that doesn't just go bad, it goes slasher bad, awesome!

Sadly, it was a boring, run of the mill home invasion slasher/thriller. Anna Paquin was in the movie for 30 seconds, Stephen Moyer for about 5 minutes tops. After checking out the back and seeing Open House was directed by Andrew Paquin, both of those cameos now make sense. What better way to draw in all those True Blood fans then to have these two on the cover?

The movie just slowly progressed, the acting was fine but not impressive. The directing was typical, nothing wrong with it. The story has already been done time and again, and they missed the opportunity to explore some unique aspects of the characters. No scares, regular amount of spurting blood. I love scary movies, I'm not a big critic. I expect some entertainment, that's about it. Open House barely provided even that.

This doesn't have quite the plot that the DVD jacket suggests. Just skimming the jacket blurb, you might think this movie will be about a maniac or two taking up residence in the basement of a house for sale, then creeping out at night after new occupants have taken up residence there. That sounded like a promising premise that plays into a glancing fear many of us might have when we consider buying a house. Did the realtor conscientiously check all the basement cubbyholes, all the closets before locking up after every Open House?

But no, that isn't quite what this movie is about. If anything, it's a reversal of that more predictable theme. In this case, the sociopaths blatantly occupy the body of the house, while the rightful owner gets imprisoned in the basement, left to haunt and perhaps ultimately challenge the intruders.

This is a movie of few words, at least on the part of the male sociopath. There is no burden of back-story here, no Psycho-like epilogue neatly explaining the psychopaths' behavior. This vicious duo dwells in existential space, isolated in their clean, white, new surroundings. The male is a silhouette as he sits on the couch, limned by the sunlight coming in through the window behind. These two drop in from their own universe, reminiscent of the evil that descends in the notable German film, "Funny Games." In this case though, one of the intruders has the redeeming capacity to feel some affection, some empathy.

But the film's overall silences are what make it more memorable than the average maniacs-amok film. It has a trance-like, fairy-tale quality that draws the viewer into its silent spaces, that invites the viewer to fill the vacuums.

"Open House" does include something of a twist. An additional turn of the screw in the already corkscrew psyches of the two home invaders is revealed. The acting in this film is good enough though that you might guess this twist from the beginning. It is always suggested, so it isn't dragged in like a bolt from the blue.

There's a Director/Actor commentary included in this DVD that doesn't add much to our sense of the characters' motivations, but that supplies some easy, supplemental listening. Well wait - not quite. It's not quite "easy listening." Brian Geraghty, the actor who plays the male psychopath in "Open House" occasionally punctuates the commentary with some shadings of dissatisfaction and even askew anger of his own that seem to be reflections, albeit pale reflections, of the attitude of his fictional character. Having come off his starring role in the acclaimed movie "The Hurt Locker," he seems to imply he didn't want to do this lesser film. He wasn't happy. He wouldn't have done it except... This element of undercutting blends in with the cutting and undercutting that goes on in the movie itself. Altogether, the quiet abberations on this DVD make this movie disquieting - and strangely fascinating.

When I chose to watch this movie, I thought it would be something I would enjoy. Not so much....

The story follows the journey of a divorced woman as she tries to sell her upscale home. We see numerous couples visiting the Open House held by the realtor.

Then one day, we are aware that a mysterious person is going down the basement stairs, and the realtor leaves without realizing it.

Next, a mysterious couple seemingly takes over the house, after first killing a couple of guests and tying up the woman who resides there.

From there, we catch a glimpse of one horrible scene after another, until finally, the carnage is over.

Or is it?

First, I thought that Anna Paquin would have a bigger role in this film but her scenes were brief. The other actors were unknown to me, and if I'd realized that "Rachel Blanchard" was NOT "Tammy Blanchard," whose work I enjoy, I probably would not have clicked over to rent this one. Throughout, I kept wondering when there would be a big reveal that would illuminate us as to the motivations of the killers. But nothing presents itself. I like to understand why the characters behave the way they do; senseless violence turns me off.

But for those who like horror for the sake of it, there are some moments that you'll enjoy. As for me, I did stay glued to the film throughout, so I guess that says something.

Definitely not five stars, though. Three, perhaps.

Because I am a fan of both Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin I was expecting something extraordinary but I would put this movie in a " Don't put this on your resume" category for both of them. I am person who likes a plot you can sink your teeth into and this movie leaves much to be desired! Basically it's about a couple psychos pretending to be couple that wants to buy a house and they end killing almost everyone in it except perhaps the owner who appeals to one of them. I found it intensely boring! It has almost no plot and what plot there is doesn't get interesting until almost the very end. R.Carney

AS A FIRST leap into the thriller/horror medium, "Open House" opens a promising door. It's a foretaste of talent from first time writer/director Andrew Paquin that, if nurtured, should fester into something really savage. Kudos to Lions Gate for taking a chance here.

Paquin keeps standard horror shtick at bay and that's a nice surprise. The story deals with a mid-30s divorced couple. The wife, Alice (Rachel Blanchard) is selling their former dream home and, during an open house, someone enters but doesn't leave. Alice is captured and hidden away in a small locked room as unsavory activities commence. Two psychos are using the open house gambit to maintain their creepy killer lifestyle. People show up to look around but end up dead and dismembered in coolers in the garage.

The film is keen on claustrophobic atmosphere. This could be happening next door in today's overwhelmed real estate market. Paquin's killers supply genuine revulsion. When David (Brian Geraghty) reports that he's been checking the bodies in the garage, his co-hart asks whimsically, "Are they rotting?"

And would you like a top-off for your coffee?

Filmed on the super Red Hi-Def camera, the film maintains a cool blue edge. Detail is razor sharp, skin tones are natural and blacks are solid. A good wash of film grain keeps the look in cinema mode. Paquin tells much of his story in full bore sunlight, the kind that leaves you squinting for sunglasses. The house and the people look stylish and sharp, a pointed contrast to the activities within.

A 16-bit, six-channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack keeps dialogue and effects on an even level; surround effect is minimally used but it works into that reality experience Paquin strives for. At every step, viewers are in the moment.

Where the story fails is in discovery. We really don't learn enough about the killers, the focus of the film. David would like to break away from his partner. Alice presents an opportunity for a different life. (Well, yes, when pigs fly but we're willing to cede him dream-possibilities). As it is, "Open House" is a bit like watching one-third of a "Criminal Minds'" episode. The set up is there but the climax falls apart. Even if we don't get all the answers, we need something more to hang onto - something to make us care. Alice's plight isn't enough.

Commentary from Paquin (Anna's brother) and Geraghty doesn't offer much more than a look into a first time filming experience and standard making-of info. A few deleted scenes finish the "extra" experience. "True Blood" fans should note that, while Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer are prominently featured on the cover, their roles are little more than walk-ons.

I'd be interested in seeing what Mr. Paquin does next.

Brian Geraghty (`The Hurt Locker') and Tricia Helfer (`Battlestar Galactica') star as a couple looking for their perfect home. Unlike the rest of us, they don't use real estate agents or the classifieds. Instead, they find the home they want and murder anyone in their path to getting it. This time around, the unlucky homeowner is Alice (Rachel Blanchard of `Snakes on a Plane'). Things get complicated (well, more complicated than things usually are for a pair of roaming serial killers) when David (Geraghty) decides to spare the life of Alice, unbeknownst to his partner in crime & love, Lila (Helfer). As Lila spins further & further down the drain of insanity, David begins to regret his decisions and considers making a life change, hopefully with the companionship of his newfound obsession Alice. `True Blood' stars Anna Paquin (whose brother Andrew wrote/directed) and Stephen Moyer also co-star in small roles.

Marketing in the film industry is a fickle friend. It can make a film and it can destroy it. Look, for example, at a film like `Cloverfield' from a few years ago. What may have been just a small passing at the box office turned into a worldwide phenomenon, mostly thanks to some phenomenal viral marketing that truly sparked the interest the film needed. With `Open House,' however, it seems as if marketing is going to very much hurt the film. Why? Because they're setting the film up in a way that will only disappoint a great load of people. Those people are fans of the hit HBO series `True Blood.' Looking at the cover art for `Open House,' we are shown the main stars of `True Blood' Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer right up in the foreground with their names smack dab on the top for all to see. The problem with this, however, is both actors combined probably have under ten minutes of total screentime. While I wasn't bothered much by this since I didn't see the cover art prior to the film, I can see why many fans of the show will be annoyed when the two main reasons they sought out the film are gone before they even get the chance to fully settle into their sofa.

Moving past what is sure to be a disappointing part of the film, there are several elements that I quite enjoyed about this little thriller. The most alluring factor of `Open House' and one that was truly impressive would be the performances. I was impressed by just about every actor's work throughout the film, especially that of Rachel Blanchard and Brian Geraghty, who after `The Hurt Locker' deserves to be doing bigger & better films than this. Another strong technical aspect of this film was the cinematography. Joseph White, who made his mark with his photography on `Repo! The Genetic Opera,' did very well simultaneously capturing the beautiful architecture of the house along with the gloom of the basement `prison.'

One more talent associated with this film is the director, Andrew Paquin. I didn't cite his role as the writer with that compliment because I believe that is where he and the film failed most. As a director, he did a very fine job, especially for his rookie outing. The script, however, is what needed work. While the dialogue and plot were satisfactory enough, the real problem came from the constant wasted chances at real suspense. Rookie directors often run into problems when they direct their own work because they sometimes can't see the problems that another director or co-writer would see during pre-production or filming. A writer may read through his own script ten times, know it word for word, but not see a small flaw that a person may catch on their first run through. That is why another creative mind working on the script is almost always useful, especially in small productions like this.

Overall, `Open House' is not going to go on as one of the great thrillers of our time. It will, like many straight-to-video films before it, most likely be forgotten by this time next year. However, for a one-night stand with an entertaining rental, you can do a lot worse than Andrew Paquin's first attempt. I'd like to see more in his future.

Final Verdict: 6/10.

-AP3-

This movie is disturbingly entertaining. I bought it to see Stephen and Anna. Anna isn't in it for long, but Stephen gets a little more screen time. His scenes are very memorable for a fan. Job well done. He does romance so well. If you liked this movie check out The Resident. It is along the same lines as far as story content. I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Kudos to Anna's brother.

I bought this DVD by chance and found it to be a great movie, the fact that Anna Paquin and her fiance Stephen Moyer from (True blood) were in it made it just as good, they have small parts but the movie was very good and different from any movies that I have seen in the past. The lead character played her part very well. The is a movie you'll have to check out.

I too saw the cover and bought the video because Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin were on it. But, I was not prepared for the "bait and switch" they did for the movie! Not only were they only in the movie with cameo roles, but, they were LAME roles! I was sooooo bored after Stephen Moyer was killed off in the first and only scene he was in, I watched the rest of the movie using the FWD button. Sheesh, just about everyone who come into the house got killed. It was "Yeah, yeah yeah, well they're gonna be next." That's 34 minutes of my life I'll never back! Oh,and the "spa sex scene"? What the heck was that? They both had shorts/swimsuits on! They could have at least used skin toned suits, or whatever!

If you are into a good THRILLER Open house is for you . Good acting - thrilling and pretty bloody !!