Der Hausfreund

This movie surprisingly works and is very funny and enjoyable and it's also, what I think to be the litmus test of a good movie, always good for repeated viewing without losing its charm. I pass by the film on cable and find myself watching it again and still laughing. I know this seems hard to believe especially since the story is ridiculous and the script is pretty banal. I've come to the conclusion that it's the genuine talent of Sinbad, an exceedingly funny man who unfortunately seems to have disappeared from show business as of late. Phil Hartman adds a great deal to the film with his always impeccable delivery but I can't help but think of his horrible tragedy and kind of fall out of the movie's whimsy at times.

I always liked this movie. It manages to rise above most Hollywood comedies that are inevitably annoying and dispensable. This movie is fun and has great acting which makes up for the fact that it is, by nature, just a screwball comedy. It's a total guilty pleasure but I say go for it.

Since today is Sinbad's 50th birthday, I wanted to talk about one of his movies. "Houseguest" is probably the sort of movie that can only appeal to eleven-year-old boys, but it has its moments. Portraying a debt-ridden man (Sinbad) posing as the friend of a suburban man (Phil Hartman) and moving into his house to avoid some gangsters, it's pretty silly, but not harming anything. A particularly goofy scene is the whole "washing balls" sketch.

So, it's the sort of movie that you watch with best buds. Don't expect a religious experience, just expect to laugh (I'm sure that you will). Among other things, it goes to show what we lost when Phil Hartman was murdered. Also starring Kim Greist and Jeffrey Jones.

Kevin (Sinbad) is a poor single man living in Pittsburgh, with his hamster, in a small apartment. An orphan, Kevin once bragged to his grade school classmates that, one day, he would be "very wealthy". Trouble is, none of his get-rich-quick schemes have panned out and Kevin is in debt to the local mobsters. When they come to collect, Keving speeds off to the airport to catch a flight. However, with the mob on his heels, Kevin overhears an even better opportunity for him to lay low for awhile, at the airport terminal. It seems that Gary (Phil Hartman)and his children are waiting for an old camp friend that Gary has not seen for 20 years. Kevin seizes the moment and declares himself to be Dr. Derek Bond, a dentist, to Gary and the kids. Gary is delighted to see him and takes him home. Once there, in heavenly suburbia, Kevin finds out he is supposed to make a speech at the local elementary school, on career day. Okay. Kevin also learns he is reputed to be a strict vegetarian. Horrors. But, as the family showers him with gifts and parties, Kevin wonders, as do we all, how soon will they learn the truth about his identity? This is a great film, very funny and very spirit-lifting. Sinbad's Kevin is a such a lovable character, despite his scheming, that everyone is hoping for a happy ending. Hartman, likewise, is dead-pan funny in his role as a much put-upon lawyer with a family that looks perfect but which, in reality, has some problems to overcome. The setting is lovely, the costumes are nice, and the look of the film is quite wonderful, too. Do you want to cheer up yourself and your family in a big fashion? This is the film for you, as to watch it is to love it and laugh it up till the clouds overhead are long gone.

Phil Hartman and Sinbad star in Houseguest a 1995 comedy about what happens when one stranger pretends another person's best friend and the close relationship these two form even after the truth is revealed.

Phil Hartman has starred in great movies like "Blind Date", "The Coneheads" , and "Jingle All The Way", but this is probably his least seen movie although it's a funny one.

Phil Hartman plays Gary Young, a young executive who has problems with his wife and young kids . Hartman dislikes his boss but doesn't have the guts to stand up to him.

Sinbad plays Kevin Franklin, a guy who has yet to pay a debt to the mob for $50,000, Instead of paying the debt, Franklin goes on the run and proceeds to impersonates one of Young's best friend, a dentist named Derek Bond. Young hasn't seen Bond in a long time, so he has no clue what Bond looks like. Franklin does a good a hilarious job of fooling Young that he is Derek Bond. In one instance, Young invites Franklin to a party and asks him to look at the teeth at one of his guests, a beautiful young woman. When this beautiful woman starts to smile, Franklin sees she has lost a couple of teeth, and responds "Oh!!! Geez", it's a funny scene that had me laughing. Pretty soon Franklin starts showing Gary Young's guest how to boogie and dance, using the black soul in him. I enjoyed this moment, because although the movie doesn't state it, part of it's enjoyment is the togetherness of the black culture of Franklin with the white culture of Young. When both guys starts partying together, we see both white and black people can exist together in peace. Anyhow, more fun ensues as Franklin is asked to perform an important dental procedure to an old friend of Young, and proceeds to do utterly stupid stunts with great results. Franklin then bonds with all the kids of Mr. Young including Jason, Joey, Sarah Young. In one scene, he takes the kids to play basketball against a couple of young bullies and he and the kids proceeds to beat up these kids playing tough basketball. The kids love Franklin with all his warmth and humor, than even at the end when they find out his real name it doesn't matter, because they know he is a good guy.

We get more laughter close to the end, as the Young family helps Franklin get rid of the mob idiots that are following him. By the end of the movie Young, is a totally different, he is more secure and confident, thanks to his best friend, that he stands up his boss and becomes closer to his family. Only 2 people reviewed this movie, so that tells me, that alot of people still haven't seen it. I recommended this great movie to everyone

It's quite a shame this film is way underrated at 5.5 stars over 10. While a dumb boring movie like How to Deal gets .2 star higher, I guess many of those who watched Houseguest simply have bad taste.

Oh well, Sinbad's talent can never be better than what he exhausted here. Really funny how he can't help but grab that McDonald's burger from his friend's hands. And that splash of soft-serve ice cream scene, that was hilarious.

I want to see more Sinbad films in the future.