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Hedy Burress,
Anthony Rapp,
Jerry Doyle,
more...
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Dan Mirvish,
Dan Mirvish
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: Fox Lorber
: Comedies, Independent, Musicals
: 96 min.
: English
: English
see additional details...
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A Sunday afternoon quest to find the perfect American dream home finds a group of wannabe homeowners embarking on a series of strange misadventures in this real estate musical from Slamdance Film Festival founder Dan Mirvish and starring Sally Kellerman, Anne Magnuson, and James Duval. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Renegade filmmaker and Slamdance co-founder Dan Mirvish has made a musical comedy about real estate. Film Threat calls Open House "a funny, fast-paced and above all very unique film." In an exclusive interview for GreenCine, Mirvish talks about his Oscar campaign, starting a film festival and the film scene in... Nebraska. Full Article >>
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| Finding a Home
by talltale
December 10, 2005 - 8:50 AM PST
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1 out of 1 members found this review helpful
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"Adorable" or maybe "dear" pretty much describes Dan Mirvish's OPEN HOUSE, but do give yourself a few minutes to sink into the sensibility here--which is a bit like an independent movie version of the off-off-Broadway musical genre. The result may be foolish fun, but it's handled with such all-out joy and enthusiasm by the very game cast that some of you will be happy to go along for the ride. Which gets better--if sillier--with each proceeding mile.
Real estate and home are the themes here, and Mirvish does some satiric, screwy things with the former and adds some lovely touches to the latter. With the exception of Anthony Rapp ("Rent") and Sally Kellerman, whom I believe did a cabaret stint some time back, most of the cast do not appear to be "pro" singers or dancers. Yet between their efforts and that of Mirvish and his editor, they've cobbled together a charming piece of work. Who knew that James Duval could be a singing hoofer?
"Open House" is pretty much a one-of-a-kind experience, but one that we were delighted to have had. Yet this movie is SO different that I can fully understand others of you hating it beyond measure. But for those who can appreciate the peculiar kind of whimsy on view, do give it a try--and stick with it for awhile to discover if it seduces you as it so thoroughly did us.
On one the "Special Feature" tracks, you'll learn that the actors made all of $75 a day, while most of the crew went unpaid. Jerry Doyle, who plays Dave Torkenson, mentions that he and other actors often do these little independent films because the experience can be fun--and you never know when one of the films will be a breakout hit or attract enough attention to have made it worthwhile. "Open House" didn't get that attention, but I bet it will survive on DVD as a "cult" item. Seeing it, and hearing comments like Doyle's, makes one realize again how lucky we are to have actors, directors, writers and crew who will give up so much in order to create something special. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 5.10)
10 Votes
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