House was released in Japan in 1977 and was described by comedian and Barry star Bill Hader in his visit to the Criterion Closet as "fucking insane" even as he was wearing a tee shirt from the film. Two things from the clip. Don't take his advice on those two "date movies". The other? I predict, that in the near future he will direct an incredible horror film. Seriously.
The first half hour of the film concerns 7 teenagers planning their summer vacation. Shot and edited in a style that looks like Sid and Marty Krofft jollyness meets Terry Gilliam animations, meets Italian Giallo's vivid color. Bizarrely, all the girls are named after behavioral or physical characteristics, so our main character, Gorgeous, is infuriated to learn that her widower father wants to bring a future stepmom to their getaway home. This is shot down, and Gorgeous gathers all of her friends to stay at a mysterious aunts' home for their holiday instead.
Despite the visual gymnastics at play during all of this, it really gets sinister and darkly humorous once the house is reached. I'm not going to give any further plot points away, just know that Mr. Hader is in no way wrong in his description of the film. 70's yacht rock or tinkling piano melodies play constantly behind the dialogue and action, as it's growing more ominous, making the film a bit unsettling and a tad ear-splitting. I'm glad I saw this film, and will probably have to revisit it to have it make complete, or at least, some sort of sense.
Is it a horror film? Some of it is. Some of it is downright evil. But with giggling girls, chuckling dudes with buckets stuck to their asses, and colors right out of a Pantone Pallette book, it's a combination that just feels off to the nth degree. And if that is what the director was going for?
*chef's kiss*, brother.
Oh, by the way, the horror movie book riding in the seat of the girls' train? I have that shit.
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