By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Year: 2013
| In the House (France; 105 min.)
directed by: François Ozon starring: Fabrice Luchini; Ernst Umhauer; Kristin Scott Thomas;; Emmanuelle Seigner; Denis Ménochet |
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| Chris says: “That old adage, ‘Write what you know’ receives an ironic, cautionary spin in Francois Ozon’s latest, which also plays like an older-and-wiser update of 2003’s SWIMMING POOL Here, a high school French teacher (Fabrice Luchini) named Germain Germain (shades of Lolita’s Humbert Humbert) becomes a mentor to his 16-year-old student Claude (Ernst Umhauer), an aspiring, gifted writer. However, two problems emerge: Claude’s stories observe and critique his increasingly risky transgressions with his classmate Rapha’s family, and Germain’s fixation on Claude and his prose threatens to cloud his judgment and integrity, not to mention unravel an already fraught relationship with his art curating wife (a delectably tart Kristen Scott Thomas). In time, Claude transforms Rapha’s family into a fluid canvas with which he takes some liberties in telling their (and his own) story, with Germain guiding him to find just the right arc. Although, much like Claude, the film’s a touch too clever for its own good in parts, it’s also witty, entertaining and admirably shrewd in how it examines the hazards of co-opting life for art. 4 cats“ |
| 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 “IN THE HOUSE has many surprises along its relatively straightforward “Fabrice Luchini is marvelous in his vicarious role. Kristin Scott “IN THE HOUSE, which is an adaptation from a stage play, can best be “(IN THE HOUSE screened at the 2012 Toronto International Film |
| Julie says: “This was an excellent movie! A must must see! “I love love love Fabrice Luchini ! He is so so so funny in the special “Ernst Umhauer was excellent as Claude as was Bastien Ughetto as his “Emanuelle Seigner and Denis Ménochet do a great job as the “Yeah Bruce/Chris I got the Patty Duke Twins thing right away but it |