House! (2000) User Reviews

Bingo - House! is a Winner

[Maddy-18 · 10 May 2000]

Set in a small South Wales town La Scala bingo hall is struggling to compete with the new, flashy complex that is opening on the other side of town. La Scala has been a family business for three generations, first a music hall then a variety theatre, next a cinema and now a bingo hall. Mr Anzani (Freddie Jones) the present Welsh/Italian owner tries desperately to keep the hall going as his regular clientele desert him to go to the new hi-tech centre. The star caller at La Scala (Jason Hughes) is also deserting the sinking ship to advance his career in the Bingo world. It is up to Linda (Kelly Macdonald) to save the day. Linda with her aunt (Miriam Margolyes) devise a fascinating scheme to put La Scala back on the map. Meanwhile Linda's working colleague Kay (Mossie Smith) flirts outrageously with any man that comes across her path. She provides most of the laughs, the scene when she gets a soaking when the tank bursts is brilliant - it has to be seen to be believed.

All the members of the cast are perfect in their roles - it is basically a young cast and obviously full of talent to look for in the future, especially Kelly Macdonald of Train Spotting fame. Everything is just right, the sets, costumes and locations. The director is Julian Kemp - another young person that hopefully we will be hearing a lot more of.

House is a very enjoyable film, there is nothing in it that could offend. No violence, only the odd swear word, no big special effects, no explicit sex scenes - how refreshing. It was good to be able to watch a film and be entertained, laugh at their antics, feel for their anguish and just feel that an enjoyable evening has been spent.

House breezes along with bags of charm - it is a real gem.

A good central performance,but little else

[studioAT · 2/10 · 15 November 2015]

Before she became a big star Kelly McDonald appeared in low budget films like this one that tried to ape the 'feel good British comedy' vibe that was in fashion after The Full Monty.

In principle the idea behind this film is not a bad one. Old bingo hall vs. the new upcoming one. There's lots of room for outlandish characters and sentiment as the staff work together to save the old hall. It also allows room for star turns from people like Freddie Jones.

And yet it doesn't work, despite a good performance from McDonald. The main problem is that the film doesn't seem to know whether it wants to be a big bawdy comedy or a sweet sentimental one. In the end it flits between both camps and ends up being neither.

It's an OK film for a rainy day, but I certainly wouldn't spend big money chasing down a copy.

Excellent and Funny Film

[Scrugulus · 9/10 · 28 February 2005]

This is a very nice funny film about loyalty, friendship, dreams ... and Bingo - slightly sentimental, but not too much. I first saw this movie at the Mannheim-Heidelberg film-festival some years back, where the director described it as a "Welsh Psychic Bingo Movie"; which I guess sums it up rather well.

A girl tries to save her aging employer and his crumbling Bingo-hall from bankruptcy, against all odds. The only problem is that she doesn't know whom to trust ...

It may not be the most 'intellectual' film I've ever seen, but it is much more 'intelligent' than most films nowadays. The film creates a convincing small Welsh town atmosphere and is in this, I believe, superior to 'Plots with a View' and 'Undertaker's Paradise'. Considering the quite impressive cast, I think it goes without saying that all the actors perform brilliantly.

I was so enthusiastic about this film that I searched for a copy of it for over a year; I only could get it on DVD - and bought a DVD-player just for this film! This should show you how convinced I am of this film. I give it 9 out of 10.

Enjoyable film from start to finish!

[julia-52 · 10/10 · 3 April 2000]

I saw this film at a preview screening. If you only see one film about Bingo set in South Wales this year - make it this one. Fantastic performances from all concerned and the superbly refreshing direction means never a dull moment. This is not your standard Brit-Film. When the film ends, you'll want to go back in and watch it all over again. Director Julian Kemp is certainly one to watch out for in the future! I highly recommend you see this film.

A little gem

[Tithers · 9/10 · 18 May 2001]

A very likeable film in all respects, from the stylish direction to great acting from all concerned (although the terribly sexy Kelly Macdonald lets slip a few Scottish vowels and at times verges on Ruth Madoc's Gladys Pugh - but I can forgive her for anything). Subtle and very effective music scoring adds to the overall humour and there are some surprisingly touching moments, especially from the great Freddie Jones, who seems to be in his element as the Welsh-Italian bingo hall owner / chef / opera lover. Also, some frighteningly realistic old women from South Wales - dun 'alf make me feel 'omesick, like mun.

Don't like Bingo?, It doesn't matter!

[gangerolf-1 · 9/10 · 21 January 2010]

I can count the number of times I have been on Bingo on one hand, and the times I did I can't say I got the big adrenaline rush. A room full of old and new cigarette smoke, stone-faced "elderly" players and dull colors all around. Except, when someone called "Bingo" a big grin came on their faces.

Guess what? This movie is like that... and I love it. Mostly spot on how it looked like when I was at the Bingo here in Oslo Norway maybe 10 years ago (when it was still allowed to smoke). OK, in the movie it's a grand big theater. Well, it used to be, before the owner had to turn it into a Bingo.

A new Bingo comes to town, and the old one needs to be saved. Not the most original "main" plots, but the how it's done, makes up for it.

The acting is great, the humor is subtle (but enjoyable) and it looks great. Well, well made should be the correct word. It's not pretty. Just look at some of the walls in the halls in the old theater.

Very enjoyable! 9 of 10

Welsh, Witty and very watchable!

[markwhiteley · 13 June 2003]

My brother got me on to this film, I'm just getting over a bad Viral infection so i'm spending a bit of time at home. He bought me a load of DVD's to borrow and some where in the middle was this one. It's about the closer of an independent Bingo hall and a community trying to save it from the evil grip of corporate Bingo (stay with it, it looks better than it sounds).

it's the sort of film you'll see on a sunday afternoon and it'll make you feel good about the world.

just give it watch, you'll love it.

A very pleasant way to spend an evening

[derekdeksmith · 8/10 · 24 October 2017]

It won't change your life. There's no road to Damascus moment and neither is it seminal. However, it is well acted, especially Kelly McDonald who's superb in everything she does, and Miriam Margolyes, who is the same, with a story that will leave you with a warm feeling inside.

I'm not sure why I liked it, but like it a lot I did.

It ticks along at a steady pace, being both humorous and entertaining, giving the viewer the impression the cast also enjoyed acting in it.

On the negative side, there's no bad language, no nudity, no confusing plot and no pointless CGI. On the positive side, it is fun.

A quaint little film !

[simonevs · 8/10 · 4 April 2002]

A quaint film of life in a bingo hall in s Wales (where I am not sure even though I live here !!).

Pacy and funny and quirky its not a classic but a ice enough film to watch in the Brit Comedy genre.