The House of Yes
The House of Yes
R | 10 October 1997 (USA)
The House of Yes Trailers

Jackie-O is anxiously awaiting the visit of her brother home for Thanksgiving, but isn't expecting him to bring a friend — and she's even more shocked to learn that this friend is his fiance. It soon becomes clear that her obsession with Jackie Kennedy is nothing compared to her obsession with her brother, and she isn't the only member of the family with problems.

Reviews
Incannerax What a waste of my time!!!
Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.
Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
Davalon-Davalon A friend gave us the option of several movies to view after he served Thanksgiving dinner. This was one. If I had stumbled upon this film on my own, I may have watched a bit of it, but I doubt whether I would have gotten all the way through it. Yes, as my friend said, it was a dark comedy. But I fear it was too dark. The film used as a centerpiece a woman (Parker Posey), mentally unbalanced, with a fixation on Jackie Kennedy (why they called her Jackie-O, I don't know since they were focused on the Jackie Kennedy the day that Jack Kennedy was assassinated) and her twin brother (Josh Hamilton). The story centers around this sick woman and her unwillingness to let her brother live a normal life. This includes destroying a new relationship with his fiancée (a refreshing Tori Spelling), insulting her kid brother (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) and faking out her mother, Genevieve Bujold. All the actors were good. The dialogue consisted of making statements and having other actors repeat the statements as questions or repeat the statements rephrased sarcastically. There were funny moments, no question. But, there was a fair amount of footage used of Jackie Kennedy and John Kennedy on the day of Kennedy's assassination in Dallas in 1963. What was disturbing was seeing the footage of the time period just shortly before John Kennedy was killed. I found it be deeply upsetting and I was not sure why it was necessary. This is NOT a Thanksgiving film. It is a very dark indie comedy to be viewed when you have NOTHING to do, and it is NOT the holiday season. Seeing it once is enough and you will not forget it. Whether that is a compliment or not, I will leave up to you.
wes-connors On Thanksgiving 1983, twenty years after US President John F. Kennedy's assassination, the wealthy Pascal family of Virginia prepare for a stormy reunion. Recently released from a psychiatric institution, attractive Parker Posey (as Jacqueline "Jackie O" Pascal) takes center stage. She remains there, for the most part. Arriving home is Ms. Posey's twin brother Josh Hamilton (as Marty). His surprise for the family is fiancée Tori Spelling (as Lesly), a donut shop clerk. She arouses attention from the twins' younger brother Freddie Prinze Jr. (as Anthony). We know there are going to be some serious sexual problems when family matriarch Genevieve Bujold tells Ms. Spelling her twins are so close, "Jackie's hand was holding Marty's penis when they came out of the womb."...As you'll see, she has a hard time letting go...Mark Waters took this story from Wendy MacLeod's play, without giving us many reasons why it shouldn't have remained there. The inserted footage of the real Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, whom Posey emulates, reveals the actress' hair and make-up are off the mark. The pink outfit with "pill box" hat is recognizable, though. Other than that, Posey offers an interesting but insensitive characterization. It is not impersonation and the association of President and Mrs. Kennedy with this family's insanity lacks depth. It's happenstance. The film is promoted as a comedy, with the quotes "Dark, Clever Comedy!" (GQ Magazine) and "Bitingly Funny!" (Elle) prominently featured. However, the film is not very funny. The comic aspects likely worked better in the stage production.**** The House of Yes (9/12/97) Mark Waters ~ Parker Posey, Josh Hamilton, Tori Spelling, Freddie Prinze Jr.
Jerry (Nglas) Very few movies based on plays can be successful, but House of Yes is not one of those that fail. It succeeds where others have failed because of the energy put into a film that is mostly dialog. Parker Posey shines as Jackie-O, the mentally troubled sister of Josh Hamilton and Freddy Prinze Jr. Tori Spelling, whose only other film I have enjoyed was Trick, did a great job of playing Jackie-O's doormat.The movie is at its strongest when Parker bares her sadness, always hidden beneath sarcasm. A classic movie of family dysfunction without playing out the same old tired roles. This family is anything but a typical dysfunctional family and though they all appear to be nuts, part of you wants to run out and find a family just like them, because looking past all of the sarcasm and insults, you sense and feel the love.I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see strong acting. Parker Posey is on top of her game here.
BlackSox1919 A very dark, funny little movie. Parker Posey is tremendous, and most of the film exists as little more than a set-up for her character. My only real complaint is the stilted, "stagey" way the dialog is delivered. It feels like they are going for a 1930's Broadway play vibe, a twisted Rogers and Hart show, and the acting shows that direction. On a live stage, I'm sure it wouldn't have been noticeable; but the delivery is conspicuous when captured on camera. Still enjoyable, but the effect is distracting. See it for Parker Posey, and for a surprising Tori Spelling, and try not to worry too much about what happens at the end.