Open House

Excellent movie. One of the best movies that I have seen in quite some time. While I bought the movie for one reason really, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was very well acted by two talented actors. Loved it so much that I have watched again and can't wait to view it again. What I found interesting was the struggle emotionally and psychologically that Chuck was facing. Not only the struggle of being separated from his wife and his daughter, but also the struggle he was facing with trying to make enough money and with his alcoholism. It's interesting what roads people take to get what they really crave and to what sort of lengths that Chuck goes to achieve this. Jason did an excellent job in portraying Chuck; quite a departure from his character on Third Watch and can't wait for the next thing he decides to do.

Very surprising ending to the movie and I highly recommend it. *thumbs up*

I have seen this film several times and an always surprised at the complexity of a film made in such a simple fashion. In fact that tension, the complex held within the simple, is what makes OPEN HOUSE a truly remarkable achievement. That the film was obviously a labor of love - i.e. made for no money -- makes the outcome even more amazing. Jason Wiles shows a range unseen before by those of us who know him for his serialized television work. The real genius here, however, is Shem Bitterman, who has found the secret of making good work on a budget: keep the concept simple. By choosing to do what is clearly a well-written two character play in essentially one location, he shows the right road to quality. Filmmakers put away your motion graphics and whiz bang video gimmicks. Tell a story about two fascinating human beings living on the edge of self destruction and you have real movie making.