Houseguest (1995) User Reviews

Heaven Help Us All, I Loved a Sinbad Movie

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 19 August 2006]

I thought for sure I was going to run kicking and screaming from my television... a film with Sinbad? Unwatchable! But this gem proved me wrong, as I not only watched it but loved almost every second of it (and Sinbad is always on the screen, so surely it must be his doing!).

The story is a common Hollywood theme: a guy (Sinbad) passes himself off on a group or family as someone he's not: in this case, a childhood friend of a father (Phil Hartman). A little variety exists in how to play this out, but the same old stuff happens: stranger teaches family a lesson and learns one himself along the way.

What made this film great was the cast. Sinbad was surprisingly insightful and was able to make even average activities seem far-fetched and outrageous. Phil Hartman had a relatively minor role and didn't really get to provide us with a full performance, but his physical facial comedy of biting into a piece of turkey was extremely amusing (facial comedy plays a large part in this film, later coming back when a wine taster is testing a glass).

Jeffrey Jones has too small a part (this man is so under-rated in Hollywood), but does well with what he's been given. And most of all I think Kim Murphy's career should have ignited from this film, but I guess producers didn't watch it. Murphy is obviously beautiful (which seems to be enough to make it in Hollywood), but more so she played her Gothic character perfectly. I was amused with her delivery of the lines concerning Edgar Allan Poe's last meal, her Smiths t-shirt (perfect choice) and the really wacky line about evil rats. The writers did their homework when writing in Murphy's character and she repaid them in spades. (Can I use the word "spades" when talking about a Sinbad movie?) The soundtrack was amusing. Best feature: the fact that some scenes were so obviously McDonald's commercials, with one really extended scene including a McDonald's theme song. Heck, after that moment I would have cut off my own leg for a double quarter pounder with cheese.

I love this movie, and would not be against displaying it proudly on my movie shelf for all my relatives, friends and guests to see. I do not know why this film has gone underground and has been long forgotten my many people, but it shouldn't have been. This is comedy gold, people.

Very good for a family movie

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 7/10 · 27 November 1998]

Most family movies seem hastily thrown together but HOUSEGUEST is an exception. The dialogue sparkles, the direction isn't just 2-takes-and-go, the cinematography is whackily speeded up in some places and the editing is rapid fire. And unlike most family movies, it lasts for 110 minutes. That's about half an hour longer than is usual. I know this hardly seems like a valid point but I reckon it proves the movie's got more content than fart jokes etc.

My only gripe is the obvious McDonalds plugging about 40 minutes in. If you can just turn away for these 10 seconds then it's not so bad. It's a shame that it's there tho because it tarnishes the credibility of the movie.

Sinbad is always good and the late, great Phil Hartman can make any film watchable so they really add to this brilliantly entertaining comedy. Do yourself a favour and watch it. It's not just for kids. I watched my VHS a zillion times and I was so impatient for this DVD to be released.

So it's barebones, but who cares? I'm just glad to have it. The 1.78:1 anamorphic picture is super and the Dolby 2.0 surround track is decent enough. After all this is a dialogue driven comedy but some sound effects and music are presented pretty well. My subwoofer even go a big kick from a gunshot near the end.

Pick this one up whenever you see it. No matter what age you are, you and your kids will enjoy.

Great for family entertainment

[Naughtia_Nah · 6/10 · 13 November 2011]

I remember that we had this movie on VHS and that I really liked watching it when I was younger. I remember it being very entertaining at the time.

Sinbad stars as a con artist who is trying to hide from some mobsters. In an airport he gets mistakenly befriended by a geek lawyer who thinks he's a long lost childhood friend. He becomes a house guest and makes himself comfortable in the lawyer's home and really gets to know his family and neighbors.

This movie is very funny and well suited to watch with your family, I know I loved to watch it back then.

A funny, good movie!

[Docterry · 19 September 2002]

This movie surprisingly works and is very funny and enjoyable and it's also, what I think to be the litmus test of a good movie, always good for repeated viewing without losing its charm. I pass by the film on cable and find myself watching it again and still laughing. I know this seems hard to believe especially since the story is ridiculous and the script is pretty banal. I've come to the conclusion that it's the genuine talent of Sinbad, an exceedingly funny man who unfortunately seems to have disappeared from show business as of late. Phil Hartman adds a great deal to the film with his always impeccable delivery but I can't help but think of his horrible tragedy and kind of fall out of the movie's whimsy at times.

I always liked this movie. It manages to rise above most Hollywood comedies that are inevitably annoying and dispensable. This movie is fun and has great acting which makes up for the fact that it is, by nature, just a screwball comedy. It's a total guilty pleasure but I say go for it.

Happy 50th, Sinbad!

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 10 November 2006]

Since today is Sinbad's 50th birthday, I wanted to talk about one of his movies. "Houseguest" is probably the sort of movie that can only appeal to eleven-year-old boys, but it has its moments. Portraying a debt-ridden man (Sinbad) posing as the friend of a suburban man (Phil Hartman) and moving into his house to avoid some gangsters, it's pretty silly, but not harming anything. A particularly goofy scene is the whole "washing balls" sketch.

So, it's the sort of movie that you watch with best buds. Don't expect a religious experience, just expect to laugh (I'm sure that you will). Among other things, it goes to show what we lost when Phil Hartman was murdered. Also starring Kim Greist and Jeffrey Jones.

Plot is INSANE, but it's honestly pretty fun!

[Caleb_Everett · 5/10 · 12 March 2019]

Kevin Franklin is IN THE HOUSE! Sinbad, what is there to say except he's a genius when it comes to comedy. Houseguest was one of my favorite movies as a kid and to this day I still enjoy watching Kevin Franklin work his way around suburbia.

Now for as much as I love this movie, I can absolutely see the true plot holes and shortcomings that take place in the film. I understand that Phil Hartman hasn't seen Derek Bond in like 20 years, but based on everything he knows about him...I mean it's obvious they have talked on the phone, how could he ever think Sinbad is him? It's absurd. Especially in the way that Sinbad goes about certain things, take the story of the "accident" that Sinbad tells him, why would he wait to tell him about it until just now?

Surely, in their back and forth over the years it would have possibly come up. Also, why would this family feel the need/desire to be so candid with a complete stranger about intimate details of their lives? I know that the father is "friends" with Derek Bond, but I mean...would a teenage girl want to disclose anything to him? No.

I could go on, but who cares, the movie is FUN and it's meant to be. Even with all the pitfalls, it's still an enjoyable and funny movie. I will watch it again.

See it a bunch of times

[DOGMANDADDY · 7/10 · 19 September 2005]

I have to say, when I first saw the movie, I thought it was incredibly dumb. After about the third time, I thought it was so funny. It gets more amusing the more often you watch it. It's sort of like that song that you think sucks the first few times you hear it, and then you listen to it a few more times, and it sounds a little better, and then after about a month, you really like it. Sinbad and Phil Hartman play off each other very well, and amongst the stupidity, there's a light hearted lesson in friendship and the ability of people to change. I don't know how much more I can write about the movie without going into spoilers, but just go out and rent it.

Sinbad Stumbles in his first theatrical outing

[IonicBreezeMachine · 4/10 · 30 July 2021]

When Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) accrues $50,000 in mob debt from a series of ill fated get rich quick schemes, Kevin attempts to flee only to be found out by mob collectors at the airport. Overhearing a conversation with lawyer Gary Young (Phil Hartman) who's awaiting the arrival of, Derek Bond, a childhood friend he's not seen in 20 years. Kevin assumes the role of Derek and becomes the Young family's houseguest for the Memorial Day weekend as he tries to keep up his shambling façade.

Coming to prominence in the Cosby Show spin-off A Different World, Sinbad had made a name with his recurring role on the program, as well as hosting Showtime at the Apollo. In 1993 at the heigh of Sinbad's popularity, he signed a deal with Disney for a 13 episode tv series (The Sinbad Show) and a pay or play deal for Houseguest. Unfortunately while Sinbad can be funny, Houseguest does not play to his strengths as it's an overlong slog that takes a theoretically rich culture clash premise and handles it on a way that robs it of comic spark.

Sinbad's role is basically that of a good natured schemer with a plethora of get rich quick schemes that are varying degrees of inept or preposterous and there's definitely material there but it's not presented all that well. I'm a massive fan of Phil Hartman but he feels greatly miscast playing the straightman suburban dad and feels like it was envisioned for an actor known for more tightly wound performances like Steve Martin or Charles Grodin. Even once the two do get together there's not all that much chemistry between the two and the movie doesn't sell us on why Sinbad's scam fools everyone. The humor from this kind of premise is predicated upon tension derived from being found out and caught in the lie but the movie basically reinforces the lie with concrete in how it allows things to work out perfectly fine for Kevin as he basically does little if anything to reinforce his lie including changing his behavior and what "threats" there are to being found out are mostly presented as impotent and weightless. In addition to the rather misjudged material, director Randall Miller over directs the movie abusing montages, crossfades, smash cuts and just all around making a film that feels choppy. One sequence in particular is a sequence where Kevin is confronted by the two debt collectors in his apartment, and it's cut in such a way that shots only last 3 seconds before jumping somewhere else making a simple scene disorienting.

Houseguest is a failed comedy. While it has a rich enough premise and Sinbad has energy as the lead, Phil Hartman doesn't fit as a suitable counterpart in a role that should've been more serious to bounce off against Sinbad and its central premise of culture clashes and farcical lies feels neutered by a lack of tension or friction present in the proceedings. Not awful, but not worth viewing either.

Dumb comedy or one of the best films of the '90s?

[DoobieKeebler · 10/10 · 10 November 2002]

The comic genius and timing of stars Sinbad and Phil Hartman take what could have been a run-of-the-mill dumb comedy film and turn it into a wonderfully likeable tour-de-force. The premise has been done time and time again, it's basically a "fish out of water" story. Yes, the gangsters are dumb almost to the point where they're annoying. Sure, we see the message coming from a mile away.

But there are a few things that separate this film from other comedies, and elevate to the status of excellence. First of all, it's hilarious. There are few jokes that don't work and they are immediately forgotten as this fast-paced romp wastes no time. The speed-up of scenes and the quick editing (several shots seem to last for no longer than a few seconds) do get a slight bit irritating, but it serves its purpose by catering to the fast-paced story and Sinbad's style of comedy. Take for instance, the party scene in which Sinbad is explaining what the "GFH" on his suit jacket stands for. Slow down the scene, and it loses the humor.

Since the McDonald's issue has been cited again and again in reviews with varying degrees of criticism, let me address it briefly. First of all, there are a lot of people who love to eat McDonald's food. It's not healthy for you, but you'd be lying if you say that it tastes awful. Now, Sinbad's character is established as the lazy, unhealthy, always-eating slacker from the very beginning as he comes home to his apartment and enjoys his McDonald's and 2 liter bottle of soda. The real Derek Bond is completely contrasted with the impostor Derek Bond's lifestyle. Hence the fish out of water comedy. Sinbad's character is put in a desperate situation where he assumes this other man's life and the man he is pretending to be is the complete opposite of him. He's got a successful career as a dentist and he maintains a strict diet of vegetables and muescli cereal. So, when Sinbad's Kevin Franklin character, in this awkward and unfamiliar situation of staying with a suburban family's house and pretending to be someone who everyone expects to be a health-conscious stuffy professional, manages to escape for a moment and sees the familiar golden arches, he's so happy that he feels like he's in a commercial. He knows McDonald's and in many places, McDonald's seems to be an unchanging, constant source of familiar greasy food. McDonald's works in the context of the film because it's a real fast-food place that we can relate to, because we've all eaten there at one time or another. To me, if there was some fictional place like "Lou's Hamburgers", it wouldn't work. The character design might come through, but there could be no jingle resounding in our heads, and it'd take you out of the reality of the story (which I discuss in next paragraph). Yes, McDonald's is a real fast-food joint, and Kevin Franklin loves to eat there. Does that make "Houseguest" a McDonald's commercial? I don't think that it does, I think it maintains an element of reality that we as viewers can relate to. Perhaps we needn't always be so cynical as some professional film critics are.

Now, I mention the 'reality' of "Houseguest" and you must think I'm absolutely crazy. Houseguest is an unrealistic film that requires you to throw logic out the door entirely if you wish to enjoy it, right? Well, not necessarily. I think looking back at this film, eight years after it was made, we can look at the family suburban life depicted, and notice the real-ness of the characters. Phil Hartman's character Gary Young is a hard-working businessman at a law firm. He sucks up to his boss and the boss's wife and spends more time with his job than his family. Gary's wife tries to be there for her family, but she's taken on a career with frozen yogurt stores and it's turning out to be far more time-consuming than she imagined.

Then, there are the three children. The oldest girl is distancing herself from her family, trying to find comfort in a "Goth" phase, taking pleasure from sad poetry and a boyfriend who seems to think that he's a tough kid from the hood. The middle child is the only son, Jason. He tries to win his father's approval by playing basketball and hoping to be good. The youngest daughter seems not to be getting any attention, either. Her busy parents don't have time for her, and she's been getting lessons from television programs instead.

The dysfunctional middle-class family serves as a foil for Kevin Franklin, pretending to be someone he is not, who will ultimately find the desire to help these people, who have unknowingly opened up their home to him, a complete stranger. Kevin Franklin doesn't have a job, a family, or kids, and yet it his interactions with the Young family that allow both them and he to better themselves.

Now, if you've seen the movie, you're probably reading this and thinking, "This guy's nuts. He's completely overanalyzing some stupid comedy." Well, perhaps I am. "Houseguest" is indeed a silly, hectic fish-out-of-water comedy; somewhat formulaic, but very much successful. However, to dismiss the film as 'bad' or a 'stupid comedy' is a superficial assessment of a film that really has a lot going for it.

Sure, the film is glossy and not without faults, but then, so is life and the people that we interact with. "Houseguest" is a winning comedy, and one of my favorite films of the 1990s. It presents laughs but also provides a realistic look at individual and family life in the '90s, even if this comes out of an unrealistic set-up of a man assuming another identity to avoid the mob.

Much-maligned and underappreciated, "Houseguest" is a gem of a family comedy that I certainly hope you will give a chance. Or if you initially didn't like it, some more thought on these matters and maybe a second chance.

Guilty pleasure good

[blott2319-1 · 7/10 · 16 January 2021]

You will never once catch me saying that Houseguest is a really good movie. The storyline is ridiculous, the behavior of the characters is ludicrous, and many of the scenarios in the film are nonsense. The entire film is built on the premise of a guy who lives his life one lie at a time, hoping for his big break, but there are several times when it doesn't even seem like he's a convincing liar. Yet, despite all its flaws, I find Houseguest to be quite funny. There is something that works about the combination of Sinbad and Phil Hartman, and I find myself laughing even when the jokes aren't that great. I enjoy some of the situational humor that they built into the script, and most of it feels like a cohesive plot rather than awkward vignettes that are shoehorned in for no reason.

Sinbad's brand of humor won't work for a lot of people, and I can appreciate that. Through most of the film, Phil Hartman is forced into the role of straight man, which many people will not like either. I guess you could say this movie falls somewhere in the guilty pleasure category for me. It's not one of my favorite comedies, but it still entertains me, even though I've seen it dozens of times. I am a sucker for storylines about an unlikely person coming in and helping a family grow closer together (and making their own lives better in the process.) It's a heartwarming plot structure that always gives me a reason to smile at the end. Houseguest is not a film I'm going to recommend to others, but there is a chance some people will enjoy it as much as me.

a so-so comedy (web)

[leplatypus · 4/10 · 17 April 2017]

If the idea of someone hiding in a family to escape problems is funny, the story written around is not amazing: the scenes come up one after another without any sense and it's pretty much the same stuff every time (Sinbad does whatever and it pays off). Sure i laugh every 5 minutes because there is always a good line or a funny situation but overall, this kind of non stop talking clown gives me headaches! The other thing that disturbs me is that the family is the new brand of upper class, with the usual depressive teen girl and the big mansion... When i was young, the families look like mine (ET, Goonies, Poltergeist, Twin Peaks). As it's already there in Home Alone, i think that the difference is about coast: in the east, family has big brick houses while in the west, it's more pavilion. At last, if i rate 4 instead of 7, it's because of the poor ending: suddenly, the movie becomes a lesson, it's about redemption and it spoils everything... By the way, Kim is nearly invisible here as a rare mother neglecting her children for work!!!

NB: and his pink-green sport-wear is just ugly !!!

This Guest is welcome anytime so, do seek out this fun-filled movie which can buoy spirits in a big way!

[inkblot11 · 8/10 · 16 March 2007]

Kevin (Sinbad) is a poor single man living in Pittsburgh, with his hamster, in a small apartment. An orphan, Kevin once bragged to his grade school classmates that, one day, he would be "very wealthy". Trouble is, none of his get-rich-quick schemes have panned out and Kevin is in debt to the local mobsters. When they come to collect, Keving speeds off to the airport to catch a flight. However, with the mob on his heels, Kevin overhears an even better opportunity for him to lay low for awhile, at the airport terminal. It seems that Gary (Phil Hartman)and his children are waiting for an old camp friend that Gary has not seen for 20 years. Kevin seizes the moment and declares himself to be Dr. Derek Bond, a dentist, to Gary and the kids. Gary is delighted to see him and takes him home. Once there, in heavenly suburbia, Kevin finds out he is supposed to make a speech at the local elementary school, on career day. Okay. Kevin also learns he is reputed to be a strict vegetarian. Horrors. But, as the family showers him with gifts and parties, Kevin wonders, as do we all, how soon will they learn the truth about his identity? This is a great film, very funny and very spirit-lifting. Sinbad's Kevin is a such a lovable character, despite his scheming, that everyone is hoping for a happy ending. Hartman, likewise, is dead-pan funny in his role as a much put-upon lawyer with a family that looks perfect but which, in reality, has some problems to overcome. The setting is lovely, the costumes are nice, and the look of the film is quite wonderful, too. Do you want to cheer up yourself and your family in a big fashion? This is the film for you, as to watch it is to love it and laugh it up till the clouds overhead are long gone.

Phil Hartman actually gives it some amount of levity

[MovieAddict2016 · 6/10 · 5 September 2006]

By no means a great comedy, "Houseguest" actually comes across as being fairly entertaining thanks largely to the presence of the late, great Phil Hartman. Hartman's deadpan, ironic delivery always cracked me up on "SNL," and although his film career never really took off prior to his death, he had some good supporting roles, and this is one of them.

Sinbad is basically as annoying as ever (although, admittedly, not nearly as bad as some other comedians-turned-family-entertainers) and the plot is very basic and recycled - a guy on the run from some Mafioso types decides to take on the identity of someone else through a series of bizarre misunderstandings. In this case Sinbad finds himself pretending to be the old friend of Hartman's, who is now a brain doctor. There are actually some rather amusing scenes involving the forced and awkward such as when Sinbad is forced to give a speech on brain surgery despite knowing absolutely nothing about the topic.

Overall, not by any means a great comedy, but something that can easily divert your attention on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Yuck! (2)

[Leefer · 2/10 · 8 March 2001]

This was a painful movie to endure. This movie must hold the record for fast motion scenes. I am a Phil Hartman fan and that's what prompted me to give this movie a 2 and not a 1. Maybe its for kids, I don't know, but I was bored from the outset. I kept checking the clock to see how much longer the movie was, then I finally checked the box to confirm the length of the movie. These aren't things you should do if it's a semi-interesting film. And, that's not to mention the endless, shameless, plugs for McDonalds. What a waste of talent. If you want to see a better, well written "houseguest" check out Peter Sellers in "Being There".

Hey, Kevin Franklin, in da house!

[wes_pyro99 · 17 November 2004]

Houseguest.

One of Sinbad's funniest movies and Phil Hartman's funniest movies. Sinbad plays a 35-year old, never want go get a job, con man, who is in to the mob for $50,000 dollars. After trying to escape from the con man, he impersonates a dentist and that's when the fun begins.

Right off the back, Sinbad brings the laughs. All of of lines about the great white shark biting his friends head off and the GFH off of his suit jacket.

This is a wonderful movie and I would recommend it to anyone, because Sinbad is a comedian that doesn't need profanity to be funny.

Funny 10/10!

Slap me five there brother....

[FlashCallahan · 6/10 · 3 April 2014]

Kevin Franklin has a dream, but he's having trouble finding the fast lane to his first million.

Borrowing from loan sharks to finance a new business, Kevin finds himself in debt to the Gasperini Brothers.

Seizing an opportunity to escape, Kevin passes himself off as a prominent Baltimore dentist to an unsuspecting family, The Youngs, becoming their house-guest for a weekend.......

Sinbad was never a big star here in the UK, the movie he will be remembered for here is Jingle All The Way, as the one who was annoying Schwarzenegger for the duration of the film.

But as always in the US, the nineties always seemed to give popular TV stars a three picture deal, David Caruso was one, but he sank big time, despite some big films, and there was this guy, who was given some safer projects.

And this is one of them, a film where the family are not getting along, a supposed family friend arrives,who is a little different from before, and before you can say 'it's a wonderful life' everyone loves each other, and the bad guys are given their just desserts.

Sinbad is watchable, and the rest of the cast are stereotypical to this genre, but in the end, its harmless, slightly diverting stuff.

And that would make a wonderful poster quote 'slightly diverting'

Wonderfully endorsed by McDonalds....

Potential to be a good movie

[palebeachbum · 5/10 · 7 May 2006]

This movie had the potential to be a hilarious Sinbad comedy. I enjoyed it far more when I was a kid. After watching it again today, I realized how bad it really is. The cinematography was pretty bad. The camera cuts back and forth far too much, especially during dialog between two characters at once, making it almost dizzying to watch at times. Editing was noticeably bad in some scenes. For example, a character is standing in one spot, then the camera angle changes and the character is now standing in a different spot. Or how about the scene when Sinbad is leaving the airport in the red Volvo wagon and spins the tires taking off causing the rear wheels to spin and smoke. Did anyone notice the patch of oil under the smoking tire they show a close-up of? I've driven that kind of Volvo and I can say from experience those Volvos can't spin the tires like that on dry pavement. So it was obvious the wet patch on the ground was oil they poured there to cause the rear wheels to spin and smoke when Sinbad took off fast. Just simple stuff like that that can make a movie seem cheaply and poorly done.

Funniest Movie Ever Made?

[nikemike44 · 6/10 · 3 September 2007]

Many comedies are great comedies. Many of them are funny, entertaining, and clever. But House Guest, ( Sinbad and Phil Hartman ) is one of those I'm gonna need to pretend like I know what i'm doin', even though I don't know what I'm doin' comedies. It's one of those I have to act like I'm someone else kinda comedies. Every laugh's a screamer, every joke, clever, and every Sinbad goes, there's TROUBLE!!!! It's one of those movies you have to see again, and again, and again, mainly because it was just too damn funny. While watching the movie, I would say to myself, "It would be hilarious if that really happened, or if someone really said that, or I could just imagine me trying' to do something like that. The movie's great. I hope I gave you a good enough of an idea to help you understand how funny this movie is, without spoiling it for you.... The only reason why I rated this Movie "6/10" is because IMDb has it voted as that....

Sinbad's best movie

[Banterking625 · 10/10 · 6 January 2007]

When I saw previews for this, I really wanted to see it. Unfortunately I never got time to go the movie theater to go see it. But when it became a new rental, I went right down to Blockbuster and rented it. And I loved this movie. The pairing of Sinbad and Phil Hartman was excellent. The part when they leave the airport is hilarious and also when Sinbad tells Jason "Caress the wheel like a woman. Don't hold it like a pervert!" Then Jason says "But I don't know how to caress a woman." LOL. That part was hilarious. From beginning to end, this movie is definitely an all-time classic. Too bad they don't make movies like this anymore. Now a days it's over-hyped garbage like The Da Vinci Code or these teen slasher psycho movies where everyone just runs around and screams. Another part I really liked was when Sinbad says to the wine critic "Sounds like someone needs a woman." That part was hilarious too. Houseguest is a comedic gem that very few comedies can live up to. Definitely worth seeing for anyone who hasn't seen it yet and definitely worth buying to add to your collection!

Cute & Funny, Family-Friendly Popcorn Movie

[laurelhardy-12268 · 7/10 · 21 May 2023]

I Recently pulled this DVD out of our collection as we had not viewed it for years.

I have a great deal of respect for Sinbad. His comedy in this movie is hokey at times, and pretty darned funny at others.

But moreover, even in his stand up, he keeps it clean. So many use profanity & blasphemies. Why? Because the material isn't funny. So they resort "shock" material. But it's not shocking or funny. Instead, it merely comes off as poor taste.

Nice to see Hartman having some fun before his tragic & untimely demise. Stan Shaw is great. In fact, all the players including the kids are great.

The movie is often manic cornball. But in the few heartfelt scenes, we felt Sinbad's healing interactions with his hosts' troubled children were the highlights of the movie.

A nice departure everybody should indulge in from time to time.

Thx

Bob R.

Another Sinbad Triumph!!

[mickjagger68 · 10/10 · 18 May 2006]

Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) finds himself in debt and is forced to pull off the hoax of the century by posing as an affluent dentist in suburbia, USA. Naturally, hilarity ensues as Franklin, a street smart con-man, is forced to adapt to the norms and conventions of middle-class white America. Expecting a conservative dentist, the host family bites off more than they can chew as Franklin turns their world upside down! Get ready to raise the roof!!! lol!

But amid all this comedy is a great lesson about acceptance of other cultures and lifestyles. Not only does Sinbad change their lives, but something in Sinbad changes too.

I just bought this on DVD (finally!) and haven't laughed this hard since "A Night With Sinbad" at the Dallas Convention Center in '96 where he introduced his now famous "peanut butter" bit!

Fun and games in suburbia

[Petunia-2 · 6/10 · 10 October 1999]

I would watch Sinbad read a phone book! This comedian is so genuinely funny and made a so-so script so, so believable.

Sinbad portrays Kevin Franklin, someone down on his luck, but up in his attitude. He tells all that he will make his first million one day soon and mail orders every info-mercial guide to make money that there is. Unfortunately, he is greatly in debt to some Mafia-type loan sharks who constantly circle him as their only prey. To escape their threats, Kevin high-tails it to the airport. While hiding from them, he overhears Gary Young (Phil Hartman) explain to his young son and daughter that he is waiting for a childhood friend, Derek Bond, to arrive but that Derek is always late. When the kids ask what Derek looks like, Gary explains that he actually hasn't seen Derek since childhood but he assumes him to be black and tall. You can see the lightbulb go off over Kevin's head and he steps into assume Derek's identity and proceeds home with the Young family.

Yes, the story was a little contrived, particularly the dentist office scene, but Sinbad is just so gifted in making you believe in him and laugh at him. It's a combination of his size and the honesty in his eyes, I think. Watch this movie and tell me you did not laugh out loud at the scene in the car when he is explaining his "accident" or how he makes a snobby wine tasting, an all-out blast of a party. He is a nut.

And watching Phil Hartman only makes you miss him more. He is playing the straight man here to Sinbad. Anyone else would have been "ho hum". Hartman makes you care for him and his family.

Another film you can watch with your family. As always with Sinbad, the only "f" word associated with him is "funny"!

Houseguest is a great comedy for the whole family

[ThePeoplesChampandPeoplesCritic · 12 March 2002]

Phil Hartman and Sinbad star in Houseguest a 1995 comedy about what happens when one stranger pretends another person's best friend and the close relationship these two form even after the truth is revealed.

Phil Hartman has starred in great movies like "Blind Date", "The Coneheads" , and "Jingle All The Way", but this is probably his least seen movie although it's a funny one.

Phil Hartman plays Gary Young, a young executive who has problems with his wife and young kids . Hartman dislikes his boss but doesn't have the guts to stand up to him.

Sinbad plays Kevin Franklin, a guy who has yet to pay a debt to the mob for $50,000, Instead of paying the debt, Franklin goes on the run and proceeds to impersonates one of Young's best friend, a dentist named Derek Bond. Young hasn't seen Bond in a long time, so he has no clue what Bond looks like. Franklin does a good a hilarious job of fooling Young that he is Derek Bond. In one instance, Young invites Franklin to a party and asks him to look at the teeth at one of his guests, a beautiful young woman. When this beautiful woman starts to smile, Franklin sees she has lost a couple of teeth, and responds "Oh!!! Geez", it's a funny scene that had me laughing. Pretty soon Franklin starts showing Gary Young's guest how to boogie and dance, using the black soul in him. I enjoyed this moment, because although the movie doesn't state it, part of it's enjoyment is the togetherness of the black culture of Franklin with the white culture of Young. When both guys starts partying together, we see both white and black people can exist together in peace. Anyhow, more fun ensues as Franklin is asked to perform an important dental procedure to an old friend of Young, and proceeds to do utterly stupid stunts with great results. Franklin then bonds with all the kids of Mr. Young including Jason, Joey, Sarah Young. In one scene, he takes the kids to play basketball against a couple of young bullies and he and the kids proceeds to beat up these kids playing tough basketball. The kids love Franklin with all his warmth and humor, than even at the end when they find out his real name it doesn't matter, because they know he is a good guy.

We get more laughter close to the end, as the Young family helps Franklin get rid of the mob idiots that are following him. By the end of the movie Young, is a totally different, he is more secure and confident, thanks to his best friend, that he stands up his boss and becomes closer to his family. Only 2 people reviewed this movie, so that tells me, that alot of people still haven't seen it. I recommended this great movie to everyone

A great movie but not without its flaws

[smooth_op_85 · 6/10 · 5 April 2010]

Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) is a big man with big dreams but try telling that to his car that backfires so often that he probably doesn't go through the drive thru at McDonald's (his favorite place to eat). Growing up as an orphan money centric Kevin has tried to get it any way he can, by selling baseball cards, watching tapes on home based businesses and finally borrowing 5k from Happy, the local loan shark. When it comes time to collect none of these business opportunities have paid off in the least so he has two options. The two mobsters kill him or he can have another day of life and an opportunity to pay 50k he naturally takes the latter and decides to skip town which is when he runs into Gary Young (Phil Hartmann) who is looking for his uptight conservative Derek Bond (Ron Glass who's well known for his role in Barney Miller) and he pretends to be the real Derek Bond with hilarious results especially when trying to "remember" the childhood he had with Gary at Camp Maple Ridge and the lyrics to Goodnight Irene First: A presentation in which he BS's his way through with hilarity, trying to figure out the details of Derek Bond before a garden party that he livens up after a mishap with an ice cream machine and a wine tasting that would otherwise be uptight and conservative. As he bumbles through the time at the Youngs he realizes that their family though a shining example of the nuclear family with a successful Mom (owner of a yogurt franchise) and Dad (who works for a rival frozen desert company in town) but the kids are not exactly the Leave It To Beaver kids.

The oldest girl has a thing for dead guys and depressing poetry wearing black all the time and has a boyfriend named Steve but he prefers ST3 he is simply the son of a Congressman who thinks he's a white boy who grew up in the hood around black people (those who have are often called white chocolate). The daughter is just--trying to find her voice as well but not in the best of ways, Kevin teaches her to embrace life and living things and to not let a guy like ST3 take advantage of her and Kevin teaches ST3 a lesson: Don't leave a chicken dinner for a chicken McNugget (this other girl he was with at a shop Kevin went to) by getting pretty creative. His Son Jason is obsessed with pleasing his dad who wants him to become an all star basketball player, Kevin teaches him confidence by teaming up with him to be victorious over a bunch of teenagers who hog the basketball court and wins their clothes. The youngest girl is ignored so he basically watches cartoons with her throughout his time at the Young Family Gary, the Father is pitted against his wife by being given a Beaver Meadows account that is going into a frozen yogurt business and he has a conflict of interest. When mentioning this to his boss, Mr Pike, Pike simply says that he knows that Gary is best for this eventually Kevin steps in saying that he needs to stand up to his boss and can it which he does, Gary then resolves to work as in home counsel for his wife.

As all this is going on, the thugs are homing in on Kevin until their search leads them to the Young Residence with the real Derek Bond who then states that he is the real Derek Bond and that this man is an impostor. Then things make sense for Gary and the family after Kevin is taken away and the family then decides to go after him when the real Derek Bond berates Kevin as a two bit crook. Final chase happens between Kevin and the mobsters and they acquire a scratch off which can be worth a cool million, they then part ways with Kevin and let him go.

One year later, Kevin is rich with that Porsche thanks to a Handbook for House-guests he published. Now that the Youngs know who he is and that he was being himself, they forge a continuing friendship with Kevin and his friend Larry, and the movie closes with food themed Christmas Classics showcasing the voice talents of Phil Hartmann and Sinbad This movie is wonderful for both their comic stylings. Phil Hartmann is a great reactor and his delivery is amazing. The garden party scene really does fit in with his style as well,it's a good movie that really makes him shine while also making his co stars shine too. It's more of a farce comedy that I give 6 out of 10 stars, a nice family comedy and all around fun. It has its shortcomings but I really don't see them when I look at its message, I'd say it's more like a tale of friendship and it's power to change people for the better.

And that is my review

Great funny family film

[joylily514 · 9/10 · 24 May 2003]

From the first time we saw Houseguest, we loved it. After renting it 3 times, I decided it would be more cost effective to buy it.

Sinbad is hilarious and Hartman is the perfect foil. It's unnecessary to describe the film because so many others have done that, but suffice it to say it's a wonderful, funny feel-good movie. Your kids will love it and so will you. It's clean and very family safe.