The House

The House is a 2017 American comedy directed by Andrew J. Cohen who is best known for creating the hit comedy franchise Neighbors. The film brings together the talents of comedic heavyweights, Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, and Ryan Simpkins, in a hilarious tale that combines suburban domesticity with the high-stakes environment of illegal gambling.

Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler, known for their comedic prowess on Saturday Night Live and Parks and Recreation, respectively, portray Scott and Kate Johansen, a loving middle-class couple living in Fox Meadow, a sleepy whiter-than-white suburb. When their daughter Alex, played by Ryan Simpkins, is accepted into the prestigious Buckley University, they couldn't be prouder. However, their excitement is short-lived, as they realize that they don't have enough funds to pay for her tuition.

Instead of wallowing in their misfortune, the Johansens devise an audacious plan: open an illegal casino in their friend Frank’s (Jason Mantzoukas) house, who himself is going through a painful divorce and a subsequent foreclosure on his house. The intention is to earn enough money to send Alex to college. As expected, the plan unfolds hysterically as the suburban couple, who are unaccustomed to running a casino, grapple with managing a wildly flourishing illicit operation, soon discovering their hidden knack for breaking norms and becoming increasingly drawn into the exhilaratingly decadent and chaotic world of high stakes betting.

The Johansens soon find themselves transforming from ordinary middle-aged parents into cunning casino moguls, attending to poker tables, roulette wheels, and VIP lounges despite their run-ins with local town officials, rebellious customers and bitter neighbors, let alone their zero experience in running a gambling joint. Their ordinarily mundane suburban home metamorphoses into a full-scale Vegas-style set up, complete with boxing matches, comedy shows, and pool parties, making their endeavor all the more riotous.

The comedic journey of these characters forms the crux of The House, as they dive deeper into the rabbit hole of illegal gambling and organized crime. In the process, they undergo changes in their personalities and bloom into more daring, reckless, and flamboyant versions of themselves. The movie provides a darkly comedic take on the lengths parents are willing to go to ensure their beloved child is provided for, and its audacious underlying flavor is a testament to the form-bending genre of American comedy.

The House blends well-pitched performances with sharp humor and absurd situations, creating a comedic realm where the outrageous rules, and normalcy is but a distant memory. It presents a delicious commentary on suburban life and the desperation that can occur when the future of a family's child hangs in the balance.

Will Ferrell's charm is as evident as ever. He perfectly channels the well-intentioned but clueless nature of Scott Johansen, whereas Amy Poehler’s witty, razor-sharp comedic sense is at full display in her portrayal of the mild-mannered yet adventurous Kate. Ryan Simpkins does an excellent job as the naïve daughter who is completely oblivious to her parents' escapades.

Jason Mantzoukas’s Frank also offers a brilliant counterpart to Ferrell and Poehler’s characters, and his possession of a certain maniacal energy injects even more comedic anomalies into this deliciously wild spree. His comical approach complements the humor of Poehler and Ferrell beautifully.

In summary, The House is nothing short of a comedy tornado, taking the quiet streets of suburbia and turning them into a smoky battlefield where middle-aged parents are the unlikely champions of organized crime. Its bold narrative and signature humor elicit a range of emotions and present the ideal weekend watch for comedy film lovers. The ensemble cast’s performances, wacky plot twists, and hilarious gags make it an essential addition to the library of a comedy connoisseur!