Some movies have to be chalked up to learning experiences, or grist for the mill, or whatever consoling rationale a filmmaker might make. Such a movie is “House of D,” a well-intentioned and sincere picture written and directed by David Duchovny.
The “X-Files” star also appears onscreen, but in a framing story around the main coming-of-age tale. As a grown man in Paris, Tom Warshaw recalls his youth in New York in the early 1970s.
Thirteen-year-old Tommy (the talented Anton Yelchin) lives a fairly untethered life, living with his slightly unstable mom (Tea Leoni, Duchovny’s wife), working as a delivery boy, and attending an uptight private school.
He spends most of his time with a developmentally disabled man, Papass, who is played by Robin Williams. Now, in some alternate universe, it should be fine for Robin Williams to play a mentally challenged man at this point in his career … but the sentimental dangers of such a role are too much for the movie to handle.
Tommy also strikes up a conversation with an unseen inmate at the Women’s House of Detention, or the “house of D.” The woman, played by singer Erykah Badu, yells out the window at the lad, and he finds her advice refreshing.
The most successful sections of the movie concern Tommy’s school experiences, especially a romance with a girl from a wealthy family. She’s played by Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda, who has a sweet quality that meshes well with Yelchin’s searching performance.
Some of the 1970s atmosphere is well observed, but as far as storytelling goes, “House of D” is naive to the point of clumsiness. As a writer, Duchovny isn’t pushing hard enough; scenes and characters tend to dribble along, and then an elongated postscript brings everything into a cozy harmony. The movie’s at its best in unexpected rude flashes, but it seems to go to sleep for long sections.
Hints of deeper issues come up along the way, but they don’t feel integrated into something bigger – chief among them the odd intimacy between mother and son, which is ripe for exploration but remains a puzzle. Duchovny may crank out a good one someday, but this has the feel of a fledgling effort that might’ve easily stayed in the drawer.
David Duchovny (left) and Robin Williams in “House of D.”
“House of D” H
Clumsy: Coming of age in New York in the early 1970s, seen by writer-director David Duchovny in a clumsy, overly cozy film. Duchovny plays a supporting role, giving the lead parts to young Anton Yelchin and, alas, Robin Williams as a developmentally disabled man.
Rated: PG-13 rating is for language, subject matter.
Now showing: tk
“House of D” H
Clumsy: Coming of age in New York in the early 1970s, seen by writer-director David Duchovny in a clumsy, overly cozy film. Duchovny plays a supporting role, giving the lead parts to young Anton Yelchin and, alas, Robin Williams as a developmentally disabled man.
Rated: PG-13 rating is for language, subject matter.
Now showing: Metro, Uptown.
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