House Broken

Cast:   Danny DeVito, Katey Sagal, Skyler Stone, Caitlin Crosby,Ryan Hansen, Brie Larson, Matthew Glave, Thomas F. Wilson, Kiernan Shipka , Tabitha Taylor, John Farley

Director:   Sam Harper

Genres:   Comedy

This movie is:   Campy, Goofy, Raunchy

Flipping through comedy films I found a lot of opportunities, but I have a weakness for Danny DeVito and Katy Sagal. Who doesn't like the aggressive little dude and the hot old lady?

I went into it not expecting much. Its a little known movie - as a lot of the stuff I watch can be - and at first I thought it was just another made for TV film with no promise. 

The beginning started off a little flimsy, with too many puppy-dog-eyed moments and some over-the-top antics that weren't as funny as they were head-ache inducing, but after the initial five minutes of foundation passed, the hilarity ensued.

A movie about a man retiring and wanting his adult sons to move out, in the grain of Step-Brothers, focuses on Danny DeVito trying to convince his wife, the ever-enchanting Katy Sagal, to shove the boys out of the nest. In attempt to force her hand, he literally kidnaps his wife and drags her on a camping trip - complete with sedative darts and padlocked doors - while leaving his two good-for-nothing sons home alone, with no food, no money - as they have no jobs - and overdue bills that result in no water and no electricity.

Through a series of misadventures people can honestly relate to, as well as other wild mishaps that seem impossible to be true, the boys somehow manage to gain steady income, maintain friendships and find girls willing to accept them in all their ignorance.

There is a lot of cursing, so I wouldn't suggest it as a family comedy, and if you're sensitive about gay jokes or penile humor this is probably out. Its about two college age guys with college boy mentalities trying to make an easy dollar and refusing to move out of their parents home. 

There are a lot of awesome co-stars and the humor is sporadic with instances of attempts at maturity and seriousness from the characters that tends to parallel the reality of twenty-something guys raised by moms with mother-hen complexes and dads that let the jokes run too long.

If you're looking for a shameful gallivant through a field of comedy, I suggest House Broken. Go into it expecting funny, and you won't be disappointed.

Rating:   4/5 for fun and relaxed humor

Rent/Stream or Buy:   Rent/Stream - Its good but unless you really love Lampoons and American Pies, you probably won't add it to your inventory.