The Home Teachers (2004) User Reviews

Starts off well, but you will feel like Gregg in Elder's Qrm before it is over!

[robert-n-bowman · 3/10 · 6 July 2004]

The movie starts off great, most of us can identify with the urgency to leave at the end of a 3-hour block of meetings.

Overall, the characters were OK, the Ned Flanders meets Tommy boy premise was apparent (although the toilet scene seemed contrived and unrealistic). Elizabeth Sands role as Gregg's wife actually made the Gregg's premise as the football-loving dead beat believable.

If the movie started with a bang, the echos had faded by the time the plot was established. By the time they were going to Vernal, I was looking at the clock, waiting for the credits.

Nice try, but the slapstick adventures have run their course.

Grotesque cinema, a shameless waste of film

[drew_graham1 · 15 June 2004]

There's usually a lot of work that goes into making a film: writing a good script, finding talented actors to play appealing characters (and yes, bad guys can be appealing too), setting up a believable and entertaining plot and interweaving some kind of theme. The Home Teachers failed miserably at all of the above.

After the relatively charming Singles Ward, the general public seemed a little disappointed with Halestorm's next endeavor, The R.M. The cultural fluff jokes were overused and made Mormons look like absolute idiots. So, having no expectations for The Home Teachers, I knew deep down it would turn out to be tripe in the extreme. At least in this I was NOT disappointed. It's one of the worst films of the year, maybe even of the decade.

First of all, the two main characters were dreadfully annoying. Neither of them had any real redeeming qualities, and I would hate to know either of them in person. While the actors playing them did well at being obnoxious, I guess, most of the blame in this lies in the hands of the screenwriters. The script was an absolute joke. I must admit the most eye-rolling part was when the life-changing, attitude-altering home teaching visit involved burying a dog (called a "yapper" by Michael Birkeland's character in true Chris Farley fashion). Laugh-out-loud yes, but ridiculous and contrived as well.

The whole experience seems like Tommy Boy for Mormons gone terribly, TERRIBLY wrong. The comparisons and similarities were blatant, undeniable and shameless. A road comedy, involving one fat, sloppy, lazy oaf who talks loud and stupid, and a thin, uptight, self-righteous goody-goody, and a road trip involving a car being totalled and a deer.

The soundtrack was repetitive (any of the cuts from the first two films would have worked as well), the cinematography was mediocre, the acting was like something you'd see in a Stake Roadshow. Yes, I'm LDS, but that doesn't mean I have to support something that highlights the ridiculous Culture side of the church and totally demoralizes the actual Gospel. Some will like it, but unfortunately that's because Mormons are easily picked on and don't realize how stupid it makes us look. *sigh* Hopefully, as I've heard it said, Richard Dutcher will be able to pull us out of this one.

For real LDS cinema (and just good films besides!), check out God's Army, or Dutcher's masterpiece Brigham City, or even the update of Pride & Prejudice. Skip the Home Teachers. It will make you want to slam the door on YOUR home teachers next time they come over, regardless of what message these guys TRIED to stick into the story at the end.

Possibly the worst of the current sub-genre of LDS cinema

[jalapenoman · 2/10 · 4 September 2005]

This movie is one of the worst of the current sub-genre of LDS films (films made by Mormons and catering to a Mormon audience). The best of the lot were The Best Two Years and The Singles Ward. This is worse than Out of Step or Pride and Prejudice. It would not make a good seminary video and makes the lame Tom Trails series of the early seventies look like great film making. All of the characters are shallow stereotypes and one gag wonders. If you are careful, you can see all of the laughs approaching and will not be surprised by any of the sight gags or attempts at jokes. This was an amateur film that should never have played in theatres.

strike 3

[bagnon · 2/10 · 29 January 2004]

[Possible Spoilers] I could list all of the problems for this movie in the Goofs section, but I don't think IMDB.com has enough hard disk space to store the terabytes of text it would take. Like the RM, I took my wife to see this movie on the night it started. We wanted to see Big Fish, but we had just missed the showing, so we decided to give Home Teachers a try.

The first 10 minutes was absolutely hilarious. The situational comedy of counting the seconds to get out of a boring Elder's Quorum Meeting about Home Teaching that drags on and on made me laugh harder and longer than I have in a very long time. It makes me chuckle just recalling it. Kurt Hale, you earned your $5 for that one. But as soon as the movie starts spewing out one slap stick dud after another and the story becomes ridiculously and even insulting stupid and unrealistic the whole experience just gets flushed down the toilet along with the protagonist.

I thought Michael Birkeland gave a good performance, but I think we all agree that we are all getting tired of seeing the same actors from The Singles Ward get regurgitated into LDS comedic cinema. There are many talented LDS actors around and it's time to see some new faces.

The story was good intentioned but I ended up very disappointed and unsatisfied. I know it's hard to consistently come up with good material, but you have absolutely no excuse for the horrible editing job, plot holes, and obvious mistakes.

I looked up the time it takes to drive from Salt Lake to Vernal and it is indeed 3 hours one way. We know he got out of church at noon, brother Nelson came over at 12:15, it took him 18 minutes to fix the flat tire and a half hour to visit the two families. So the very earliest he could have left Salt Lake is 1 pm. If they drove strait to vernal and back they would have gotten back at 7 pm.

But way too many things happened to all fit in one day. Before they even arrived in Vernal you could tell the sun was going down, but they got back to Salt Lake as the sun was as bright as at noontime. Also why did the Cop tell them to wait till Monday to call his towing friend and then drive them all the way back? Do you understand how insulting this kind of stuff is to those who love truth?

I can only assume that the other obvious mistakes were done intentionally as some sort of bizarre inside joke. Like when they were driving back with the deer head in the car, one scene it was in the front seat, next in the back, then in the front after only 3 seconds of continuous conversation. And after the car crashed the shadow of the boom came in and out of the bottom left corner several times. If these kinds of things were intentionally put in the film it was a really bad idea as it was very distracting and made it all look very unprofessional and unfunny. Kurt you really have no excuse for missing easy things like this. The product placement advertisements weren't as obvious as they were for the RM, but still very plentiful. I guess Cream O' Weber, Ken Garff, UtahWeddings.com, Maverick, Red Bull, etc. paid you guys big bucks. Well you are going to need that money since the Box Office isn't going to turn a profit.

I saw that you tried to put in a good message at the end, but the endless slap stick and horrible Gnome giggle that was interwoven throughout was just too incompatible to introduce a spiritual message. The modified hymns just did not fit in at all this time, but I guess you don't care since you just want to make money off the CD.

It is time to put much more time and effort into a truly inspiring LDS comedy. Take your time, do it right. If you're not up to it, then don't bother as it only disappoints your Audience and discourages the truly gifted LDS filmmakers from trying and scares away the investors.

Cut out the slap stick and focus on situational comedy. As I said before and you didn't listen `*Every intention should be to uplift, entertain, and teach. If you are just out to capitalize off the saints, as most of your sponsors are, you will fail.*'

Uproariously Funny!

[blane13 · 10/10 · 11 September 2004]

Kurt Hale and John Moyer's look into typical Mormon life shows humor in what most LDS people experience on a monthly basis. This comedy is life with physical humor on par with "Tommy Boy".

It is refreshing to see a movie that the whole family can enjoy and laugh at. The writer and director created a comedy without resorting to crude or morally debasing material.

This takes place in one day at the end of the month. Murphy visits these two bumbling home teachers every moment in everything they do as they attempt to visit 3 families.

A great ride!

Lot's of fun and pretty brainless!

[logicgrl61 · 8/10 · 24 April 2006]

I am LDS but my husband is not. We rented this video so that he could see how "peculiar" a people we LDs really are. He loved it! He thought that it was one of the funniest things he had ever seen. I also love "The Best Two Years" and "The RM" and hope to show these movies to him also. These videos can open up dialog about particulars of LDS doctrine and practices in a relaxed way with people who aren't LDS. I recommend them. YES, they are not the pinnacles of cinematic production--- they aren't meant to be. This movie was meant to be watched by the whole family and to both poke fun at LDS life and to praise it. The characters are flawed but recognizable and the situation is so typical to Mormons that the crazy antics of the main characters are really laughable. ;j

Expectations surpassed

[almdudler · 8/10 · 25 June 2004]

I'm surprised at how the majority of these reviews are so negative. Perhaps it's based in large part on expectations, but I came into the movie expecting pretty much the same caliber of film that I'd seen from these film makers before, and I was pleasantly surprised that they had raised the bar. My wife and I both noticed that production values are much better for this movie than the other 'Mormon' films we'd seen. The lighting, sound, and music seemed very well done. Of course, I realize that production doesn't count for much if the script is a dog, but I felt this film came through on that account as well. No, we weren't rolling in our seats with laughter, but there was good chemistry between the two leads, and I never felt myself cringing (as I find myself in many movies) thinking, "no one talks like that" or "that's not something somebody would say." They kept it pretty real...over-the-top in humor, but real in its characterizations. Perhaps the best compliment that I can give is that this film was funnier than the last few so-called blockbuster Hollywood comedies that I've seen. Well done. I may be watching this one again.

For non-Mormons, that one is

[dafalias · 9/10 · 27 December 2005]

Like all HaleStorm productions Home Teachers is a satirical, sometimes cynical view on Mormon life, but unlike "Singles Ward" and "The R.M." You do not have to know too much about the Mormon culture to find this movie funny. There is a lot of Chris-Farley-like screaming total destruction of things, slapstick humor as well as two great stand-up comedians in the leads, complementing each other perfectly. The standup quality of the two leads can best be seen in the outtakes on the DVD, where Jeff Birk especially does some bits that are totally out of his character, deliberately ruined the take, but are a lot of fun to watch now. So if You want a humorous look at the Mormon culture, or just watch a clean, stupid comedy, go for this movie. If You want a more serious approach and/or a brilliant thriller, go for Brigham City.

Good continuity, gags, and original script writing

[JBThackery · 8/10 · 30 December 2005]

As a Mormon, and a movie buff, I have not liked most of the neo-Mormon comedies being produced. (These are not church productions. I refer to independent productions based around a Mormon cultural theme.) Most of these films are not truly reflective of the typical Mormon's tastes. Of course they generally do have some appeal, but leave me feeling degraded.

But now comes this film, The Home Teachers, which pokes fun at a serious function of the Mormon priesthood: male members conducting monthly visitation to assigned members, and ministering to them as needed. So why does it really send me to laff-land?

Though most of the Mormon comics getting attention at the moment seem to be the trimmed-off fringe, the funny guys in this film seem able to poke fun at themselves and yet maintain a respect for dignified things. The film is not predictable, nor are the actors one-gag wonders, as another posted comment suggests. They are ever-fresh in their delivery, and the script and gags keep you totally surprised.

Most importantly, the extremist nerd and the laid-back slacker come to grips with their own frailties, and reach a happy medium. They help each other, after a series of outrageous calamities culminating in a raging mutual disdain, to see where they can improve and bridge their differences, and achieve the common goal.

But this polishing event comes on so steadily and smoothly, you don't exactly suspect it... but are nevertheless glad to see it happen. Seldom is a film able to bring two utter extremes of character into a final and lasting harmony, as does this one.

The film is loud and flashy and never dull. The humor is crisp; and though the scenes, plot, character development,and gags are constantly fresh,the film maintains excellent continuity, and never varies from the theme. How rare it is that a film can achieve that.

The photography, lighting, sound, even minor details of wardrobe and make-up continuity, are in perfect balance at all times. How they managed to keep wardrobe and make-up consistent over several days of hot desert shooting, is laudable.

And did you catch veteran Mormon actor Michael Flynn in his outrageous role as the paranoid hippie escaped convict? After all his gentlemanly and noble roles,whooda thunkit? Just goes to show the quality and range of acting skills we are viewing here. Not to mention director Kurt Hale, and several of the Hale family in the cast: these are the notable Hales who established the live-stage Hale Theater in Salt Lake decades ago, where many a fine actor and actress got their start. These are solid show-people, with a long track record of professionalism.

And who discovered these outrageous comedic actors! Where do they grow rare talent like this? These guys get on my nerves in the most enjoyable way!

Enjoyed the Tongue in cheek humor

[jpoolies · 8/10 · 16 December 2005]

I got a real kick out of the cliché humor in this...and could see lots of the characters flaws and attributes in several people I know. I really enjoyed this.

I cant wait to see the other films from these same producers. I do recommend seeing the "Its Latter-Day night" Stand up comedy DVD. Both lead characters from this movie, among others are featured....and its hilarious. I had to keep pausing it because I was laughing so hard I was afraid I would miss the next joke.

I am very happy to see some big screen, well done, feature movies that are clean, and family friendly. This is one I would recommend to audiences of all ages. It is about time that the general population gets a chance to see that clean material that is age appropriate for everyone can be just as funny, and well done as any comedy. It is such a nice change, and I cant wait for more productions.

It was fun

[oldsmokey · 9/10 · 6 June 2005]

I liked it. Never had quite the experiences depicted in the show, but sometimes thought it might descend into that kind of chaos. Like a lot of contextual humor, it's at its best when you know where it's coming from. I don't really understand the hubbub surrounding its criticism. I'm frankly amazed its detractors thought it should appeal to the masses as a whole. I never got the humor of Cheech & Chong, but those I know who've "dabbled" in that world assure me it's hilarious. Trust me, only someone with my background can really appreciate Reno 911 and Super Troopers. Lighten up a little. If you don't find it funny it just might be you. If you've actually been a home teacher, you'll get it.

takes the prize as best

[filmfan1977 · 10/10 · 18 January 2004]

Quite a bit different from The Sinlges Ward and The RM, but as Mormon comedy movies go, this takes the prize as best. It was hysterical! And the great thing was that the humor really is able to appeal to everybody not just Mormons. Halestorm Entertainment has really come a long way with their techinical expertise and it shows in this film. It looks good, but from a stand point of camera work and camera direction there is a great improvement in cut away shots durring dialogue, and back and forth shots - its not just one master shot of two people talking. The pacing and movement was nice and clean. It felt a bit short, and i think was at a few minutes shy of ninety. Another scene or two would have been OK. Which wouldn't have been too hard with all the wild events the two lead characters went through, I am sure the writers could have come up with a few other gags to up the anty. Though some of the gags didn't seem to make sense. IE the tire change in the beginning. Maybe the idea was OK, but the execution of it didnt seem to make much sense. The running joke with the troll was so so. Fell flat in a few spots. And when they asked for a current issue of Highlights? Huh? But overall as a whole, this film was great. Me and my room mates and our dates really, really enjoyed it. I will go back to see it again - at the dollar theater second time around. But for sure will be adding it to the DVD collection. Thanks to Halestorm for another good addition to the mix.

Deceptive tactics?

[hdrad · 29 June 2004]

I'm not LDS or familiar with the religion beyond NBA player Shawn Bradley and former NFL players Jim McMahon and Steve Young. (If that's even accurate.)

And I don't know if the filmmakers are to blame for the deception I'm about to describe either. All those disclaimers out of the way...

My girlfriend and I were renting movies at Blockbuster, looking for a comedy that her little brother (10) could watch with us. She came across "The Home

Teachers," and we rented it despite our being unable to recognize any of the

"stars." Important note: There was NOTHING on the box that denoted this movie was about LDS.

So imagine our surprise when we get home, pop in the video, and see the

previews for other "Mormon movies," followed by the opening scene with the

blond guy sitting in a Bible class. (We gave up on it after seeing his cliched attempts to evade the straitlaced guy.)

Nothing against the filmmakers--unless they were willing participants in this deception. I'm sure they wanted to make a funny movie that LDS folks could

enjoy. But there should have been some mention on the original movie box or

the Blockbuster box, stating that this was a Mormon movie. Especially if this was an intentional omission in order to be an undercover venue for

proselytizing.

Oh well, there's four bucks I'll never see again.

Mormon movies are fantastic

[theenoble · 8/10 · 23 February 2023]

These movies are hidden gems, my family loves Church Ball, down and derby, inspired guns, the unitards and this one, the home teachers. I always bring a new one to our family get togethers at our lake home and everyone finds them entertaining. Another movie we love is heaven bound with Torrey Martin, it's a classic. We love these family friendly comedies with a faith element in them and the comedic lines you can repeat over and over again. I'm glad I stumbled upon church ball which in turn helped me find all these other comedy gold movies that are rare unless you seek them out, don't just watch what your Roku recommends or what's in theaters, there are a lot of great movies out there that are clean and incredibly enjoyable. The home teachers doesn't disappoint.