House of America

My wife writes: The Cable guide classified this film as a comedy. However,I did not find it amusing. In fact, I thought it was rather depressing, but well acted, particularly the part of Sid, played by Steven MacKintosh. I went to bed feeling grateful that I was not poor and Welsh. To get the credit that this film deserves, it should viewed again by the classifier and shown at a more reasonable hour and, in time, I think that, like "Withnail and I", this film could be a classic.

The squalid life of a dysfunctional family, minus a father who ran away, it is believed, to America, who can only cope with the reality of the depressing gloom of a Welsh mining district by escaping from it by immersing themselves in what they think is American culture. This seems to consist of worshiping icons such as literary giant Jack Kerouak, film stars such as Gary Cooper and various myths that centre round Detriot, "the wild west," and other notions conceived and believed by many non-Americans and too many more Americans. As their obsession for things American grows it does reach a point where reality can no longer be blocked. The high quality of acting portraying the grey lives of the people set where the grey landscape meets the grey skies is first rate. Watch it and appreciate seeing and feeling the sunshine, again.

Yes, it does pander to a lot of stereotypes ever present in British films. Drunks, drugs, people going bonkers and a grim landscape. But, that doesn't mean it isn't a good film! It has some funny moments, and features brilliant performances from Matthew Rhys and Sian Phillips (who looks like a movie star from the 50s, and retains the glamour even in the height of madness). And unfortunately, like most stereotypes, it has emerged from an element of truth.

I don't think anyone would be that shallow and stupid to look at this film, and think that is how everyone in the Valleys lives any more than people watch 'Trainspotting' and think everyone in Scotland shoots up all the times. The sad matter is these films do reflect reality for SOME people, and frankly I do not care if it reflects badly on Wales because these stories should be told. What happens to Sid is happening more and more in my area and is not being addressed.

Being a Neath girl, I may be biased because it is not often you get to see my area on screen, especially Banwen. But if anyone was to ask me where I grew up, what its like, I'd show them the film because it rings true, even if it is a huge exaggeration (hence, why it is called fiction). There is a lot of unemployment, there are a lot of people do drink too much, the weather is that bad most of the time but its mostly the humour, the way the people in the film connect. People do take the mick out of each other, and wind each other up, and cannot talk about their problems, and find things to laugh at in their bleakest moment.

If you want Shakespeare, watch Hamlet. If you want Working Class Britain, watch this.

This was the film that should have really propelled Steven Mackintosh into the big time (although his earlier work on TV in The Buddha of Suburbia should have done so too). In 'House of America', as Kerouac-obsessed Sid, he is absolutely superb.

The rest of the film is hit and miss, although I did like it. Anything with Siân Phillips is usually worth watching and as the on-the-edge Mam doesn't disappoint. As the other kids in the family Matthew Rhys impresses as Boyo, while Lisa Palfrey tackles a difficult role as Gwenny, trapped in her own fantasies.

Excellent 1990s soundtrack too which adds to the mood. It is a downbeat and powerful film which just stops short of where it could go, but overall a good effort.

I used to work in the coal industry and know Banwen and the area well.

When the film makers scouted the location for the film they planned on using the local Banwen opencast coal site after visiting it, so they were a bit disconcerted to return prior to production to see that the site had finished mining and was being filled in! Fortunately they were able to use another site nearby.

I spent the best part of 4 years driving around South Wales in a blue landrover, so I was delighted to see it prominently featured in a scene in the mine. (yes I know I'm very sad and should get out more,lol).

I watched this film out of curiosity but did enjoy it although it is bleak. If I had to be critical it doesn't convey the humour and togetherness prevalent in the type of community it portrays, but I don't think that was the intention. Not a film that demands regular viewing, but it has solid acting.