In the House

[mupton]

A Sunday morning trip to the cinema to see a preview of the French film “In the House” in which, 16 year-old Claude befriends one of his classmates and begins writing stories about his friend’s family. The compelling, almost voyeuristic quality of these innocent essays impresses his jaded teacher who tutors his pupil to develop and improve his storytelling.

With each of Claude’s instalments ending with the phrase “to be continued” his teacher and his wife (Kristen Scott Thomas) are drawn in, and the teacher goads his prized pupil to keep the story going.

They become willing accomplices in Claude’s questionable methods and his infatuation his friend’s mother. But as the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur and when the teacher and wife become part of the ‘story’, who is tutoring who?

The pleasure of this film is in the tension in Claude’s interaction with the family where the very ordinariness of the family, opposite to the boy’s own family existence, is rendered exotic through Claude’s eyes, fueling a sustained sense of mystery as to where things are headed. It is all seasoned with a pinch of Hitchcock and a dry sense of humour. A delight.

[midian]

this is a wonderfully thrilling film. i actually had my hands covering my eyes at some parts as the tension was racked up so high. I am not a person who likes horror film but parts of this were so daring it made my pulse race. i suspect if i was at home watching this i would have been screaming 'no, no, no' at the tv. not what you'd expect from a coming of age film. a very intelligent and satisfying film.

i can't wait to see it again especially as there was lots going on in the visual elements of the film that i only half caught (and probably many i missed altogether) as i had to follow the subtitled dialogue.

[spoiler]especially that final scene. each flat is telling a different story. that begs to be watched a few times.[/spoiler]

9/10

[Beate]

This was very French, very clever and very entertaining. Honorary French woman Kristin Scott Thomas almost got outacted by a boy.

8/10

[jojojoanne]

Arrived later than I like to at Greenwich Picturehouse, so was unable to get my fave seat! I did see Beate in her fave seat, but was unable to say hello (as she was 'resting her eyes'!!). Couldn't see OH as people were blocking my view. I thought this film was very good.

[Beate]

Yeah, I was very tired, it was warm and comfy there so I snoozed till it started. Was almost annoyed at first that it was subtitled as it meant I couldn't just listen, but I soon got over that.

[jeanelle]

Original and engaging. Excellent performances all round. We really enjoyed the film and the bonus of the unexpected company of Ms Thrifty.

[biggins]

Saw this at the Cameo, Edinburgh this morning. My daughter and her husband thought it was very good but somehow it didn't do a lot for me. Maybe the frame of mind I was in as had a bad morning and sub titles are not my favourite form of viewing.

[David]

Glad people on here also enjoyed this. I thought it was astonishing! https://moviefilmreviews.wordpress.com/ ... the-house/

[Beate]

Apparently there were prizes under some seats at Stratford Picturehouse? Did anyone win anything?

[Ms Thrifty]

For the most part I enjoyed this and it was certainly mischievous and quite bewitching as you wondered where it would go. However, I did think it was a good 10 - 20 mins too long and that the plot rather lost its way towards the end. Still a good film but could have been even better for me if a little shorter and tighter. But no reservations about the company (jeanelle + friend) - 10/10 for them!