Ideal Home (2018) User Reviews

Why the Hate?

[guidegoldblatt · 7/10 · 5 December 2018]

I am stunned by some of the negative reviews - someone actually wrote they did not laugh once. All I can assume is they must have been watching a different movie.

While there were some cliched moments and I could have predicted some parts, I really enjoyed this movie. All of the main characters were extremely likable and I found myself rooting for them. There were many moments, while understated, that were absolutely hilarious - No cheap laughs at the expense of the characters.

One last thing, and I hope I'm not overstepping as a heterosexual, but I thought the gay relationship between Paul and Erasmus was treated with respect and not demeaned in any way. I'm not sure how often this occurs, but I would guess not often enough (I hope I'm wrong).

In the mood for a laugh?

[DJKwa · 7/10 · 15 June 2018]

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.

Sweet story

[mingaylisa · 7/10 · 31 March 2019]

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

Very enjoyable movie

[patcal · 7/10 · 29 January 2020]

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?

Ideal Home movie!

[jujuquimica · 7/10 · 7 December 2020]

You know this will be a predictable movie from the start but give it a chance and enjoy the acting. I was looking for a comedy movie and I am glad I found this one on Netflix. I laughed from the start all the way to the end. Paul Rudd and Steve Coogan are great actors and there is a very good chemistry between them both. There are a few things that doesn't really connect with the film such as Erasmus drinking while driving to Taco Bell and you think he will crash or that it will be followed up latter with him having drinking problems but it doesnt happen. Nevertheless, an enjoyable movie to watch.

Fun and heart warming

[Movie_Reviews · 7/10 · 1 July 2018]

Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd are both wonderful. If you aren´t scared of gay men and you like a good laugh, then see this. What else is there to say? :)

Funny, heart warming hidden gem

[danielandrews_uk-1 · 7/10 · 19 April 2020]

I hadn't heard anything about this film and just stumbled across it on Netflix. Decided to give a go, not expecting much, and now here I am writing a review on IMDB to encourage anyone who is wavering to definitely watch!

It's a lovely, funny and heartwarming film. Coogan and Rudd are excellent and have great on screen chemistry - the characters are all well constructed and each goes on their own journey (ok - somewhat predictably, but so what? It's a comedy..) and, despite their flaws, are all really likeable

Would definitely recommend

Genuine and hilarious

[rivertam26 · 8/10 · 29 July 2020]

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

Very witty, entertaining, and sometimes moving...

[andletlive · 7/10 · 25 January 2021]

I watched this by chance... and lucked out. It's a bit of a farce, and superficial, but with touching moments... a good light drama/comedy.

Seems not to be rated, but some scenes and foul language make it not suitable for children... although most kids, mine included, are not interested in dramas anyway.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it.

Painful heavy stereotyping

[murphytempleton · 3/10 · 29 October 2018]

I really wanted to like this movie. You see this plot done so many times over, in so many ways, that I was honestly a little excited to see what could have been done with it in a natural setting with gay men as the leading roles simply because as a gay man it's nice to be seen as something other than a joke or a token.

But that's exactly what it became, and sadly, not even as part of the intentional jokes! I will give the movie credit that a lot of the scenes could have been done with straight characters all the same (which is what you want more often than not, because humans are humans are humans), but constantly showing gay men as overly flamboyant, bickering snobs is NOT helpful. You take a boy from a negative situation and place him in another negative situation.

I'm not angry at this movie for being predictable. I expected that. I'm angry because there was a chance to show gay men simply as people who have similar life events as others and instead I got this. A few homophobic jokes and this could have been a parody movie written by someone who THINKS they know what gay men are like.

Way to set us back into the same old box. Fantastic.

Paul Rudd never lets me down

[mimi-77111 · 10/10 · 26 November 2018]

I hadn't heard of this movie until it was released on HBO. I had to watch it because of my love, Paul Rudd. The entire movie had me laughing out loud while my husband was trying to sleep. I couldn't contain myself. I'll definitely watch this again soon.

Predictable, but quite charming

[Evil_Herbivore · 6/10 · 29 July 2018]

Ideal Home is a movie about a (quite troubled) gay couple, whose life is turned upside down, when a ten-year-old appears in their home, claiming to be a grandson of one of them. This concept of gay men being forced to take care of a child is nothing new in the cinema. And so, as can be expected, the movie is quite predictable. This doesn't mean, however, that is doesn't have a certain charm.

Yes, the characters are absolutely typical for this type of movie: one is a huge child, emotional and easily angered, while the other is the responsible one, taking care both of his partner and the child that appeared in their lives. Yes, at the beginning child has a difficulty accepting his guardians being gay. Yes, every single thing happens just as one would expect. Still, the story is quite uplifting and says something about the power of love.

The acting in the movie is uneven. Paul Rudd is quite good and believable as the responsible partner, showing a range of emotions as the story progresses. Jack Gore is nice and even though I usually really don't like children as movie characters, his Bill was completely fine. My biggest problem was Steve Coogan, who is really overacting in most scenes. I don't know if this is actually his fault or if the character was written that way, but I found him really annoying.

Just doesn't quite work!

[mossyz · 5/10 · 3 July 2018]

I just don't believe the interaction between the characters. It would probably work better if the cast were not big celebrity names and it was cast with real people. Very stereotypical which is fine as long as it has a modern take which it doesn't. It's dated and embarrassing to watch. The kid is great but it's a bit like two and a half men but dumbed down. Its just lacking real emotion. Whole thing needs a realty check!

I had so much fun watching this!

[ubasarsahin · 7/10 · 2 May 2021]

It's not the greatest movie ever but it's sooo much fun! I didn't predict I'd laugh this much. Every single actor did his job excellent. Paul Rudd is hilarious as he always is. I'm so happy to have watched this and you should watch it 'cause you won't regret it.

Unexpectedly charming

[hugh-33-58009 · 6/10 · 12 August 2022]

Shows what you do with a simple but solid script, good actors, and a low budget. The kid is excellent. Coogan and Rudd are completely believable. Some very funny bits keep it moving.

It has its moments

[MajBlade2 · 7/10 · 14 February 2023]

Yes there is some stereotypical gay stuff and the story is predictable but there is some funny stuff. I'm guessing this was not marketed because of the huge back lash it would get not because it was about two gay dads but that both leads were hetro sexual men. Just heard of it and see it was made in 2018 amazing how fast things become off limits especially when they control entertainment. No one saw it I'm guessing, and even if they changed the leads no one was going to see it. Its basically a same story of a couple getting stuck with a wayward relatives kid who changes their free wheeling single ways just with two gay dads which I'm pretty sure been done before so nothing really new here but I'm guessing there was or they were afraid of potential backlash and buried this.

A positive result

[bjpafa · 6/10 · 6 September 2018]

Couples tend to manage children better than single parents if they cooperate. Gay marriages can show a great deal of involvement with kids. Oh, New Mexico is beautiful. But we already new that. The movie can show you all that in a fun, cinematic way, adding cuisine or topics like child care or parents/teacher relations. God ensemble, resulting in an watchable result. It does not need to score in all fronts to be positive, as it's message clearly underlines.

We can't have a kid - we are Kids!!

[davemerino · 10/10 · 23 November 2018]

This is a really funny movie. This isn't a portrayal of a regular gay couple, it is a whimsical view of a well to do gay couple that are 2 big ole kids themselves. They are out of touch with "all the little people". The sparring is kind of over the top, but at the same time- just right on the mark. Give it a chance, you'll love it by the end. My fave part is the 2nd parent/teacher conference, right after the Kid's class speech.

Simple but Hilarious

[yusufpiskin · 7/10 · 12 August 2021]

Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd did a great job. So much so that I said 'I wish they were my parents' throughout the movie. Jack Gore, on the other hand, has kept up with them well. Jake McDorman was underrated, but I like him a lot. I've always liked more small-budget, small-story-telling movies by actors who played in big-budget movies like Paul Rudd.

What happens when a movie tries too hard to be funny.

[TechHWright · 1/10 · 30 June 2018]

These actors are talented but it does not show in this film.I don't think they were comfortable in the roles. The movie almost tries to hard to make them work. Given both of them are straight it's not surprising.

Go tofeel good movie

[citycat-85009 · 9/10 · 28 August 2019]

This movie makes you feel good. It IS funny from the Eramus' ridiculous coffee cup and pink T-shirt to the over the top birthday party and the f----ing rainbow. Two self indulgent gay men suddenly are tasked with the responsibility of a 10 year old grandson who has a loser of a father. This was never in their plans. What was so endearing is that the child is understandably rebellious and insulting at times but these two men are nothing but kind and patient, trying very hard to be good parents. You should watch this film several times before you review it. Like Laurel and Hardy movies, each time you do you'll catch something else. The verbal under his breath barbs from Paul to Erasmus are funny. Typical good cop bad cop comedy. Glass is half full, glass is half empty personalities. It makes you feel good to see the love, patience and yes indulgence towards the child, to make him happy and be good parents for him. I love this movie.

So awful it's good

[jackVSjack · 7/10 · 11 January 2019]

I laughted so I guess I like it. Not the most sophisticated comedy but Coogan and Rudd play off each other brilliantly.

no love

[SnoopyStyle · 3/10 · 13 July 2018]

Erasmus (Steve Coogan) is a gay movie star and his lover Paul (Paul Rudd) is looking to leave their relationship. Suddenly, a young boy shows up claiming to be Erasmus' grandson. His estranged son Beau is in jail and the boy is running from Child Protective Services.

The basic problem with this is the central relationship from the very beginning. They don't even like each other. Erasmus is clueless and Paul is bitter. So it's up to a ten year boy to save the relationship. I don't even like this boy. I don't like anybody in this movie and it takes a long time before they slowly try to pull me back. I do like the actors and that keeps me from getting annoyed by these characters. Nevertheless, it's hard to find them appealing enough for me to care. As a final kick in the can, the closing credits has many gay couples with kids as if this is a drama about the fight for gay adoption. Maybe I had a grumpy day but I don't find any of this funny despite loving Coogan and Rudd as comedic actors.

Mild Spoilers

[kevin-wallace-kw · 6/10 · 19 January 2019]

I found the movie to be very funny and sweet. I really only have two major complaints. When Paul is getting ready to leave Erasmus he gives a speech about how much he loves him and would cut out his own heart for him. We never see this affection prior to this scene. In fact Paul openly discusses leaving him one day, is hostile to him (not that he doesn't deserve it sometimes.) But this speech comes out of nowhere and rings hollow.

My other complaint is the old movie trope of the unsympathetic person from child protective services. I've known many people in this field and they are bleeding heart liberals. They do everything they can to keep a child in their home. The only time CPS removes a child is if the child is in danger or is being neglected. I felt Allison Pill could have played her with more compassion.

Ideal home, Less than ideal ending

[hollandnigel · 6/10 · 4 July 2018]

A nice easy to watch film and quite funny in places, even though the couple are gay, it's not in your face gay, so don't let that put you off. However, I looked at the time and realised there was 10 minutes left, and suddenly it was over..... It had an ending, just a bit short