The House of Adam

I just saw this film on Saturday evening (4-22-06) as part of the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival being held here in Palm Desert. I didn't know what to expect and was disappointed that the sound quality was so poor when the film began. The sound quality never improved. It didn't much matter since the dialogue was poor and the acting was even worse. The quality of this film was so uniformly poor, that one could only assume it was intentional and that this was a conscious decision to make the film so funny. The stilted dialogue and extremely amateur acting, not to mention the poor sound and filming quality were a bit reminiscent of John Water's early films. Actually, this was the film JW might have made when experimenting as a teenager. I have to say that in spite of its flaws (or because of them), I enjoyed the film a lot. I haven't laughed that hard at a film in a very long time. The people who were seated near me all had one question on their mind at the end of the film: Did the film's creator intend to make a comedy with this film? It didn't seem so since the film took itself so seriously. Anyway, I enjoyed it very much, even though it was probably not in the way the director intended.

A good loving moving story that moves at a good pace, packs a punch and delivers. Mr. Ameer continues to improve his directorial skills with another fine production to add to his ongoing growth. House of Adam is a wonderful, compelling story line with a strong moral agenda. The body shots of the two male actors are alluring and provocative yet artistically balanced. The cast is very attractive and appealing. Good casting. Thumbs Up! The story is very intricate and emotional with a very gratifying ending. There is justice to the ending. I felt vindicated after what was done to the Adam character. Overall, The House of Adam will be a love story to remember for a very long time.

I've been a champion of independent films for years. I liked this film it so much I felt the need to comment on it. I read the reviews on this site and notice most have different reason why they liked or dislike the film. First, I must say taking into consideration this was probably done on a modest budget, the production values are okay. The cinematography is very good. Now to the story. I found it to be well written and original. The writing is strong and to the point. The lead characters are well fleshed out. It has several moving moments that probably works well enough to squeeze a tear or two out of the viewer. The acting of the females in this picture was not the best, as a matter a fact, I thought it was pretty raw, but passable. The main actors were very good. I can see them going on to do great things, specially the guy that plays Antony. He had a natural yet striking presence. He has lead written all over and he commands attention. This is one of those film that has so many genres mixed in it, you are better off sitting back and going for the ride.

I hardly ever post comments on this site but after watching this film at Reelpride and attending a very intense q & a this past Saturday, I thought I'd add my comments. I stayed after the Q and A and spoke to the director at the after party. Many who stayed, those who might have had a problem with the film, made their voices heard. However, I noticed when I approached the director several people who were at the Q & A told him how much they enjoyed it. I noticed those same people didn't say much during the Q & A. From what I understood, the film was projected on video because its still a work in progress. I can't wait to see the finished film projected on film. I found this film to be very intuitive, original and fun. It is without question dark and disturbing. The acting was very good. I specially liked the editing and cinematography. The sound in the theatre was poor. There were volume distortions with films shown throughout this festival. I applaud the filmmaker for his efforts and for his dark and interesting insight on life. We share the same outlook ;P. I definitely recommend this film.

Notwithstanding that "The House of Adam" is meant to be a mainstream gay movie; that Anthony (John Shaw), who is gay curious and a major cutie-hunk and Adam (Jared Cadwell) who is openly gay, and a close second in looks; that there is a whole minute of wonderful, convincing, and naked lovemaking (sorry, no frontal) between Anthony and Adam 41 minutes into the movie (that alone may be sufficient for many of us) --- notwithstanding all that (to which I give a thumbs up), "The House of Adam" is a horrible movie by most any other movie making standard. A big thumbs down.

Shaw's and Cadwell's acting abilities are either sophomoric or else truly suffer from the bad script, direction, and editing, or rather the lack thereof. Their lovemaking scene is nevertheless convincing, and may have more to do with their really being into each other, considering the rest of their scripting and acting.

Writer-director Jorge Amer's (Bonus Feature) self-congratulation as to his movie making skills is off the wall.

So, the script and lack thereof is a thumbs down. Overall, the acting is thumbs down with just the slightest exception for Shaw and Cadwell. Alexis Karriker as Nina might have been the best except for the limitations expressed above. Far and away the absolute worst, and insufferable, acting was by Thomas Michael Kappier as Albert Ross, Anthony's father having not even of elementary school acting quality. He truly represents a colossal casting failure.

The actors playing the new cabin owners are worthy of truly bad acting nominations as well.

If only the production, editing and post production were as good as the trailer, this movie would have been quite something else. The trailer presents well put together clips of scenes that drew me into renting the movie in the first place. That, and the hope that this gay-centered movie, was supposedly prominently played and touted at gay film festivals.

Overall, the movie is a big thumbs down.

Is it worth buying/renting and watching it? Only if you have an irresistible yen to see the naked love making scene, and a few minutes of semi-convincing dialogue between Anthony and Adam. Or if you truly just enjoy watching bad movies.