[IN
THE HOUSE opens in Cleveland on
Friday May 17th exclusively at the Cedar Lee Theatre.]
Review
by Bob Ignizio
In
his 2003 film SWIMMING POOL,
filmmaker Francois Ozon explored the ways in which real life
influences the creative process. IN THE HOUSE
deals with similar territory, but this time Ozon factors in the role
critics and an audience can play as their reactions affect the
creator of a work in various ways. Beyond that, however, it's also a
highly entertaining satire of middle class values and attitudes about
art.
IN THE HOUSE
(adapted from a play by Juan Mayorga) contains its themes within the
story of a promising young student and the teacher who (sort of)
takes him under his wing. Germain (Fabrice Luchini) works at a French
school that has just become part of a pilot program whose boldest
idea seems to be putting the students in uniforms. Germain's general
attitude towards his pupils after the first day of class is summed up
in a remark made to his wife, art gallery curator Jean (Kristin Scott
Thomas), as he grades their papers: “Reactionary philosophers
predict a barbarian invasion. They're already among us in our
classrooms.”
As
Germain doles out Ds and Fs for the one and two line essays most of
his class turned in for an assignment about what they did over the
weekend, he is surprised when he comes across a paper written by
Claude (Ernst Umhauer). The quality of the writing in and of itself
shows significant maturity and the promise of real talent, but
Germain is somewhat shocked by the uncomfortably voyeuristic detail
Claude goes into regarding a visit at the home of his friend Rapha
(Bastien Ughetto). Jean is even more dismayed, going so far as to
suggest that her husband bring the paper to the attention of the
principal. The irony is not lost on us that the first response of
this couple, both of whom consider themselves sophisticated about the
arts, is to stifle Claude's creativity.
Rather
than report the boy, however, Germain decides instead offer Claude
his encouragement and guidance, hoping to make him into his idea of
what a good writer should be. Claude incorporates his teacher's
various suggestions, often with results that further antagonize his
mentor and elicit further criticisms. And yet, the truth is both
Germain and his wife have become so thoroughly enraptured by the
tales that the prospect they might come to an end leads Germain to
contemplate performing a risky and highly unethical action.
Pointing
out the foibles and hypocrisies of pompous academic types is kind of
like shooting fish in a barrel and could easily get tiresome. That
never happens with IN
THE HOUSE
thanks to the subtle and clever ways in which Claude absorbs and
subverts each piece of criticism and advice given to him by Germain.
There's never much doubt about who is really teaching who, but IN
THE HOUSE
nonetheless remains entertaining and surprising right up to the end.
3 1/2 out of 4 stars.
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