Lar Ideal

Such a sweet, heart felt story. Definitely worth a watch.

I have to admit that 20-30 years ago I would not have watched a movie like this but times (and people) change.

I just happened to come across it while browsing Netflix for something different so, other than the blurb, I knew nothing about it. It takes a lot to get me laughing out loud during a movie but this one certainly had me going right from early on. Even the bit parters were funny.

A very pleasant and enjoyable 90 minutes.

The widescreen cinematography was superb and did I hear a (slight) homage to Ennio Morricone in some of the outdoor scenes?

Ageless hunk Paul Rudd (Clueless) and Steve Coogan (Philomena) star as an older gay couple who suddenly inherit a child. The child belongs to Coogans a.k.a Erasmus son played by sexy Jake McDorman (Greek) after being arrested. They live an R rated lifestyle but it's hilarious to watch them curb their ways and form a bond. It's not a wholly original concept but it's never been explored in this context. And that's definitely a plus because it's nice to see films of this context being explored with an lgbtq couple. It's hilarious, genuine and heartfelt. Rudd and Coogan are magic and it's all overly entertaining.

8.5/10

What a truly enjoyable, heart warming movie this is. It's bound to have its critics in a world still obsessed with old fashioned ideals.

Coogan and Rudd have worked together in some fine films, and combine incredible well, with real chemistry. Coogan at times sounding like a relative of Edina Monsoon.

The kid obviously undergoes a transformation, and the outcome is perhaps a little predictable, but it's the journey that's important here, not the destination.

A well meaning funny film, that sets out a message that the rules of convention have changed. 8/10

In an inspired piece of casting, pairing Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd as a bickering gay couple is Ideal Home's bright spark. The two veteran actors bring their impeccable comedic timing to the roles of Erasmus (Coogan), a TV chef with an inflated ego, and his TV director partner Paul (Rudd) who spend their days on set together trading snippy remarks. After all, they say you shouldn't mix work with pleasure.

The two find their lives uprooted when Erasmus' ten-year old grandson arrives at their door looking to stay in their custody. The message soon becomes clear for these two estranged lovers: If they can learn to love the boy maybe they can learn to love each other again?

Directed by Andrew Fleming, who previously directed Coogan in the musical comedy Hamlet 2, Ideal Home is genuine but never preachy in its depiction of a gay couple bringing up a child. The film prioritises humour over offering any real insight into the challenges of parenthood with two fathers. Besides, it's not hard to surmise from the synopsis alone where the story is heading and it's the humour that makes the film when the story lets up.

Luckily Coogan and Rudd are genuinely funny and they share real romantic chemistry allowing the film to tap into a fountain full of humour and heart. Packed with witty one-liners, the film is consistently funny. In one scene, after offering alcohol to a man who responds that he's sober, Paul retorts, "I'm also sober but I'm planning to do something about it." If you're in the mood for a laugh, Ideal Home is an ideal piece of light entertainment.