A couple are struggling financially and unable to cover their daughter's college costs after the local council pull a scholarship fund so a community pool can be built. So they do the natural thing and set up an illegal casino with a unhinged friend and neighbour in order to pay the fees.
I was listening to the radio in a cab the other night and The House was being reviewed. I'd seen it the night before so made sure to pay attention. The first thing one of the critics said was "I would never go and see a movie like this unless *insert show name* was paying me." The taxi driver casually wondered aloud why this particular critic was reviewing it, so. Fair point; regardless, the disdain was palpable and the film duly handed 1 star.
To be fair, they weren't the only one; Warner Bros appear not to be hugely confident in the film and this is evidenced by a review embargo that wasn't officially listed until day of release. Rarely a good sign, but especially with a comedy featuring stars who are known for improvisation - it can be a recipe for a trainwreck.
Is The House a good film? God no. The set-up is plainly ridiculous and at times it feels strangely flat despite the heightened set-up. It's important to know when to let gags breath and when to step in and add a bit of structure or an out for your actor, but director Andrew Jay Cohen doesn't bring a whole lot in that respect. Judd Apatow is known for throwing lines at his actors during scenes and then bringing it all together in the editing room, more often than not resulting in consistently solid laughs. Cohen assembled a very good cast and lets them run riot and it pays off occasionally.
So, yeah, some of it works and some of it doesn't; but there are laughs. Jason Mantzoukas is an underrated comedic gem of an actor with a genuine edge, and he has some amusing moments throughout - particularly when things get ramped up a gear and our suburban heroes open up their secret casino. A fight club style basement battle where neighbours work out their gripes goes enjoyably balls out, as do a couple of the more subtle moments involving the supporting players. It might not be acutely self-aware, but The House knows how silly it is.
To be fair, it's a film where the lesser known stars shine more than the actual stars; Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell may be headlining but manage to garner precious few of the genuine laughs. The comedy comes from everyone else around them.
If you're someone who would never pay to see a film like this then simply don't, it's obviously not for you. Listen to that critic.