By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Francois Ozon
Starring: Bastien Ughetto | Emmanuelle Seigner | Ernst Umhauer | Fabrice Luchini | Kristin Scott Thomas
Original language title: Dans la Maison
Country: france
Year: 2013
Running time: 105
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1964624/
Bruce says: “I’ve said it before – François Ozon is one of those filmmakers whose skills are immense but has yet to produce the masterpiece showcasing his talent. IN THE HOUSE is an expository film, one that centers on the writings of a student and the teacher who becomes obsessed with the stories his student tells. Claude is a good writer who lives with his invalid father in modest circumstances. He is an outsider in his class but gains a friend when Rafa, a classmate from an upper middle, more privileged, class asks him to help him with math. Soon Claude is spending much time at Rafa’s house. His fantasies of the house and its occupants become the subject of his writing. Soon fantasy and reality become marvelously blurred. Rafa’s parents are not particularly welcoming to Claude at first; however, when Rafa’s grades begin to improve Claude is welcomed with open arms, both literally and figuratively.
“Germain is the teacher who takes him under his wing. Claude’s stories also become an integral part of Germain’s fantasy life, so much that it is impossible to tell what is on the written page and what is in Germain’s mind. At first Germain’s wife is amused but she slowly senses that Germain is crossing over to some other side, an area that is not part of their marriage.
“IN THE HOUSE has many surprises along its relatively straightforward narrative route. Ozon does a great job in creating suspense and tension. In the last quarter of the film, the writing flounders. Ozon seems to have rushed the ending of his story as a result it does not play out so well.
“Fabrice Luchini is marvelous in his vicarious role. Kristin Scott Thomas is wonderful, but her role is not as interesting or complex as her talent deserves. Ernst Umhauer is compelling as the student with highflying imagination and ambition to match. Emanuelle Seigner and Denis Ménochet are very good as the bourgeois parents. The marvelous Yolande Moreau makes cameo appearance(s) as twins who own an art gallery.
“IN THE HOUSE, which is an adaptation from a stage play, can best be described as a coming-of-age black comedy. Filmmaker Ozon openly admits to a REAR WINDOW homage. 4 cats
“(IN THE HOUSE screened at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.)”