Have you ever had the misfortune of baking a homemade pizza, biting into the first slice, and realizing that while it’s nice and crispy on top, it’s still melted dough on the bottom?
That’s kinda how I felt when watching “The House,” starring Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, and a largely forgettable cast (with the exception of small appearances by Jeremy Renner and that guy who played Kim Jong-Un in “The Interview” – a highly recommended film while we’re on the subject of “funny”).
The movie follows a relatable premise of two over-protective parents who’re about to see their precious daughter off to college. Upon learning that City Hall has squandered their daughter’s college scholarship, the two embark on a journey to raise money for their daughter’s schooling by any means necessary. The ultimate solution – start a casino racket in their friend’s basement.
And, stuff happens.
I try to avoid spoilers in reviews, but that’s basically all you need to know about this one, folks. Will Ferrell is yet another quirky, anal retentive, and almost effeminate mid-lifer. Amy Poehler is yet another sarcastic, no-holds-barred, one-liner dropping Queen Bee. They share good chemistry on screen and manage to deliver decent performances, but so much is put on their shoulders that the remainder of the cast (and the overall story) falls flat.
It may as well have been called “Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler – ARE FUNNY!”
In the tradition of Beverly Hills Ninja, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, and just about any Rob Schneider movie, I’d say this is another example of the film industry banking on the efforts of one or more particular comedians. They play their traditional characters and deliver a few laughs, but if you’re as used to it as the rest of us are, then the movie just seems “kinda there,” if you know what I mean. Not horrible enough to throw in a burn pile. Definitely lame enough to be forgotten in time.
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